Senator Sarah O’Reilly, Deputy Carol Nolan and Senator Sharon Keogan outside Leinster House on Wednesday
On Wednesday, Independent TD Carol Nolan successfully introduced the Criminal Justice (Unborn Victims of Crime) Bill 2026 in the Dáil, backed by co-sponsors.
The Bill, if given effect in law, would recognise unborn babies as separate victims of crime when killed through violent assault or road traffic offences. It also covers serious injuries caused by careless or dangerous driving.
Protection would extend throughout all nine months of pregnancy, with courts retaining sentencing discretion, including manslaughter convictions in the most serious cases.
Deputy Nolan explained: “Under current Irish law, when an unborn baby dies as a result of a violent assault against the pregnant mother, or through dangerous driving, the law fails to properly recognise that child as a victim. For grieving parents, this lack of recognition can compound an already devastating loss.
Unlike a recent proposal limited to road traffic offences and pregnancies beyond 23 weeks, Deputy Nolan’s Bill also covers assaults against pregnant women and recognises unborn babies at every stage of development, including their personhood.
The Bill now moves to Second Stage for debate and a Dáil vote, with no date yet confirmed.
Attending the launch on Wednesday were TDs Carol Nolan, Mattie McGrath, Michael Collins, Peadar Tóibín, Paul Lawless, Michael Healy-Rae, Ken O’Flynn and Danny Healy-Rae, alongside Senators Sharon Keogan and Sarah O’Reilly.
We are deeply grateful to Deputy Nolan and all the co-sponsors for their dedication, hard work and commitment to advancing this vitally important Bill.