Kermit Gosnell, the Philadelphia-based abortion doctor convicted in 2013 of killing three babies born alive in a case that made national headlines in the US, has died at the age of 85.

Last weekend, the inaugural conference of Health Professionals for Life took place in Tralee. Consultant Obstetrician Trevor Hayes, Maria Steen, Dr. Elizabeth Cullen and Catherina O’Sullivan were among the list of guest speakers at the event attended by doctors, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals.

Members of the All Party Oireachtas Life and Dignity Group have called on the Government to establish a dedicated taskforce to tackle what they describe as an “alarming increase” in coercive abortion cases in recent times.

On Tuesday, in a decisive 69-57 vote, Liam McArthur’s assisted suicide Bill was defeated in the Scottish Parliament, representing a major win for opponents of euthanasia after two years of intense debate, in a parliament considered one of the most socially liberal worldwide.

Wednesday’s vote in the House of Lords to decriminalise abortion and legalise it up to birth is a deeply regressive and disingenuous development. The vote passed by 185 votes to 148.

Folk singer Dolores Keane’s passing earlier this week came as very sad news. The internationally acclaimed singer, best known for her stunning rendition of the song Caledonia, died peacefully at her home in Co Galway.

The Sinn Féin bill to abolish the reflection period passed second stage by 86 votes to 70 votes.

Their decision today to renege on that assurance – particularly so soon after the referendum – represents a massive breach of trust with voters.

Born weighing just 400 grams, baby Talia has overcome incredible challenges after entering the world at only 22 weeks and 5 days. Her birth was so sudden that she remained inside her amniotic sac, while her skin was thin and transparent due to her extreme prematurity.