Emphasising the humanity and intrinsic value of the unborn child, guest speaker at our annual pro-life dinner on the 20th September in Dublin, former government minister Éamon Ó Cuív recalled the story of Galway native Maolra Seoighe who was unjustly executed in 1882 for a murder he didn’t commit. Mr Ó Cuív said that as he approached the gallows, still protesting his innocence, Mr Seoighe touchingly said: “Ta mé chomh neamhchiontach leis an leanbh sa mbroinn – I am as innocent as the child in the womb”.

Addressing the 600 attendees at the annual Ceiliúradh Cois Life event, organised by the Pro Life Campaign, Mr Ó Cuív told attendees that in addition to working to reduce abortion numbers, attention also needed to be given to end-of-life issues. He warned that in other jurisdictions, demands for euthanasia and assisted suicide appeared limited at first, “a toe in the door,” but once admitted, the door was prised wide open.

Calling on people to oppose the introduction of euthanasia before it’s too late, he encouraged attendees to work to improve end-of-life care, including palliative services and support for carers.

It was wonderful to see such a large turnout at the event – of young and old alike – from across the country.

Watch the full address by David Alton, the inspirational advocate for the pro-life cause, at the 2023 Dinner.

“Before anyone justifies an abortion they should be required to gaze into the diaphanous, translucent beauty of the womb and in awe contemplate the extraordinary humanity of these tiny new members of the human race; then watch, with the full force of Irish and British law, the pain and suffering we permit. Spare us the slogans …. Find your conscience …. Embrace the supreme human rights issue.”