Latest revelations are “truly shocking” – Mulroy
The Pro Life Campaign has described as a “deeply concerning humanitarian issue” the evidence which has come to light regarding the number of babies who are born alive in Irish hospitals after abortion, and the questions it raises about the standard of medical care they subsequently receive.
In response to a recent parliamentary question submitted by Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn, the HSE revealed that 12 babies were born alive following abortion and died soon afterwards in the year 2022 alone. The HSE response shows that similarly in 2020, babies delivered included 10 who survived for a short time after an attempted abortion.* It is likely that similar numbers of babies were born alive after abortion in the years not covered in the HSE’s response. The figures for the number of babies born alive after abortion are based on a series of annual reports published by the National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre (NPEC). **
Commenting on the very disturbing information that has been disclosed, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Eilís Mulroy said:
“It is truly shocking to learn that so many babies have been born alive after abortion in Ireland and that there isn’t clarity about what so-called “comfort care” means and what standard of medical care is being provided to these babies. Indeed, in some cases doctors subject unborn babies to feticide, a procedure involving a lethal injection in the baby’s heart, to make sure a baby near full-term is not born alive. ***, ****
“It’s clear that Irish hospitals are in fact carrying out late abortions, and we are not talking about one or two isolated cases. The HSE response indicated that in 2022 – the most recent year for which NPEC has released figures – nine babies who were born alive after abortion had reached 22-27 weeks gestation, and another two even reached 28-31 weeks gestation. Another 23 babies were stillborn after abortion between 22 and 27 weeks gestation in the same year, according to NPEC’s report,” Ms Mulroy said.
“Back in 2018 soon after the abortion referendum, the then Minister for Health Simon Harris accused TDs in the Dáil of resorting to “shock tactics” for raising concerns about babies being born alive after abortion and the care they might receive. We now know that the concerns raised are grounded in harsh reality and should not have been dismissed. “
Deputy Ken O’Flynn, who submitted the parliamentary question on the issue, said in response to the HSE’s reply:
“It is hard to fathom that babies are being born alive after abortions in Ireland and sadly you have to go round in circles just to get answers as to how the babies are treated once they come into this world. There needs to be a lot more openness surrounding the medical care given to or withheld from the babies in these appalling situations. The answer to my parliamentary question should serve as the beginning, not the end, of the flow of information.”
Calling for what needs to happen next, Ms Mulroy said: “We call on the government to show much more transparency and accountability on the questions and decisions surrounding late-term abortions. The treatment of babies in these situations is first and foremost a humanitarian issue which is why it must be brought into the light. ”
ENDS
Note to editor. See Parliamentary Question reply here
* The HSE also showed that in 2020 29 babies were stillborn after 24 weeks after abortion procedures.
** Perinatal Mortality National Clinical Audit in Ireland Annual Report 2022 https://www.ucc.ie/en/media/
*** Fetal medicine specialist experiences of providing a new service of termination of pregnancy for fatal fetal anomaly: a qualitative study. Power, S. et al. BJOG 128, p. 676-684. https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.
**** Interim Clinical Guidance: Pathway for Management of Fatal Fetal Anomalies and/or Life-Limiting Conditions Diagnosed During Pregnancy: Termination of Pregnancy. Published by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (IOG), 2020 https://www.rcpi.ie/Faculties-
Even pro choice people agree that, after being born, the baby is not a foetus but a real person. So, in any objective thinking, if the baby dies at that stage, surely the forces of law and order have to be looking at causes of death, like gross neglect, infanticide or even murder.