Lawmakers allow abortion in certain cases

Irish lawmakers voted on July 12 in favor of controversial new legislation that will allow abortion in limited cases where the mother’s life is at risk. The bill passed easily as the coalition government enjoys a large majority and the support of some members of the opposition. The bill will now go to a vote in the upper house, where the government enjoys a majority. Abortion laws in Ireland’s, which is predominantly Catholic, became the focus of global attention and intense debate following the death of 31-year-old Indian woman Savita Halappanavar in a Galway hospital.  Halappanavar had sought abortion when told she was miscarrying, but the request was refused as her life was not at risk at the time.

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