‘Weren’t suicidal enough’ Women at risk of suicide denied abortions

Two women who were at risk of suicide were denied abortions in Ireland. 

Both women had tried to commit suicide more than once, and sought to have legal abortions. 

The women were immigrants who would have needed a Visa to travel to the UK to procure a termination, according to the Abortion Support Network 

Making women jump through hoops, and beg for the care they need is simply and profoundly wrong. It is barbaric. #Repealthe8th https://t.co/l7SxdnzOix

— Colm O'Gorman (@Colmogorman) June 19, 2017

'Both of these women were basically told that they weren't suicidal enough,' Mara Clarke, the founder of the Abortion Support Network charity, told The Times.

'One woman was refused her visa to travel for an abortion and attempted suicide for the third time,' she said.

After the third attempt, the woman was granted a termination. 

'The termination was carried out much later than it should have been because of the delay,' she said. 

I hate my job sometimes. But love @AbortionSupport supporters for helping us help those victimised by Ireland's abortion law. #Repealthe8th https://t.co/R42Ful66WS

— Mara Clarke (@maraclarke) June 19, 2017

In response to the revelations, Minister for Health Simon Harris reportedly said: 'This is an issue that, as a nation, we now need to deal with definitively.'

The Abortion Support Network provides financial assistance and accommodation to women forced to travel fom the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man to access abortion services.