Listening to Prof Shane Higgins’ interview on RTÉ last weekend, one could not escape the extent to which abortion dominated the discussion, rather than a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes for both mothers and babies during pregnancy.
Prof Higgins appeared on Brendan O’Connor’s programme, presented by Dearbhail McDonald, as his time as Master of Holles Street Hospital draws to a close.
He made a point of stressing that the number of abortions taking place at the hospital were lower than he had expected would happen. When pressed, he stated that “less than 200 a year” were occurring at the National Maternity Hospital – a figure presented in isolation and without context. As a result, listeners were left with the misleading impression that the new law has had only a minimal impact on abortion numbers.
In reality, official figures tell a very different story. More than 10,800 abortions took place in Ireland in 2024 alone – a dramatic escalation that was entirely absent from the discussion. This silence matters, because it shields the public from confronting the full consequences of the law.
While Prof Higgins acknowledged that healthcare staff who conscientiously object to participating in abortions are accommodated in the hospital, his comments overall formed part of a wider pattern of sanitising the reality of Ireland’s abortion regime. At its core, this reality involves the intentional
ending of new and unique human lives on a daily basis.
We are often told that openness defines modern Ireland, yet few realities are as carefully hidden as abortion. Prof Higgins’ remarks may align with the prevailing mood of sidestepping uncomfortable truths, but history tends to revisit such moments with sharper moral clarity. When it does, the failure to speak plainly will be seen not as compassion, but as something far less defensible.
We can assume Shane Higgins has intelligence so how can he publicly promote killing & worse lie about the number of baby murders. Impossible to understsnd
I’m not surprised- there’s a deathly silence around abortion here! I wish those who refuse to take part would b more vocal about their objections! Little lives are at stake here!
The above PLC statement should be given to the Brendan O’Connor show. If possible a member of PLC should be given the opportunity to refute Higgins.
As we know the professor is referring to 200 abortions that required hospitalisation only.
In 2024 there was 10,711 medical abortions of the 10,852 total nationwide terminations (approximately 98.7%) according to 2024 HSE figures.
This leaves the remainder (around 141) that were likely surgical or performed under presumably hospital settings.
Does 200 make sense in this context?
Hi there,
Prof Higgins as outgoing Master of the National Maternity Hospital referred to 200 when asked about the number of abortions in his own hospital only. He said the majority of these were in the 9-12 week gestation group. According to HSE guidelines, abortions between 9-12 weeks are done in hospitals rather than by GPs.
It’s important that as you say, though neither Prof Higgins nor the interviewer mentioned it, there was a far bigger number of over ten thousand abortions per year in recent years in Ireland and over 98% of them are before 12 weeks. Obviously that paints a very different picture from what listeners heard from the interview.
Regarding abortion, will someone from Prolife write to Professor Higgins, asking if he knows that the official figure is 10,800 in 2024 alone? Does he wish that mothers were better supported by the State regarding accommodation/housing and that every effort was made to support the mother to choose life for her baby? Does he wish that men would take responsibility for their life-giving abilities and ensure that their partner/wife does not face an unwanted pregnancy?
Hi Geraldine,
The interviewer asked Prof Higgins as outgoing Master of the National Maternity Hospital about the number of abortions in his own hospital. Unfortunately neither he nor the interviewer brought in the wider context for listeners’ information of over ten thousand abortions in 2024 alone, which paints a very different picture from the one he downplayed. It’s so important as you’ve mentioned to keep raising awareness on abortion and creating a more life-affirming environment for mothers, and we’ll certainly continue to do so.
Is it true that those who consciously object to abortions are respected in the maternity hospitals and if so which maternity hospitals ?
Hi Frances,
There have been mixed reports of how staff in maternity hospitals who consciously object to abortions have been respected. A TCD research study found that some staff who did not participate in abortion described experiencing stigmatisation in the workplace. Some new consultant roles in obstetrics/gynaecology have explicitly included a requirement to participate in abortion. Recruitment practices like this obviously have negative implications on employment and career prospects for doctors who are not willing to do so.
What source provides the number of abortions each year ?
Hi Frances,
The Department of Health issues an annual report on abortions in Ireland each year, usually at the end of June. Also, HSE responses to parliamentary questions have provided the numbers of abortions performed by GPs. See 2024 Department of Health national abortion statistics report here.
See GP abortion reimbursement claims up to 2024 report here.
(The most recent GP claim numbers are not publicly online but we have the response letter from the HSE to the TD)
I’m afraid Prof Higgins is only speaking for Holles Street and he will paint. Lovely picture to make him feel hood , but that’s not the real picture !!!!!