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Abortion

Mattie McGrath calls for abortion vote to be suspended

The Independent TD tried to force the government to suspend the final vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill because a High Court injunction was sought.

THE HIGH COURT has dismissed an application for an injunction to stop the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill 2013 being enacted.

According to Newstalk, Jane Murphy, Kathy Sinnott and Mark McCrystal (who were the applicants and litigants in front of Justice Nicholas Kearns) were told the courts could not interfere with the business of Leinster House at this stage.

It is understood they will now bring the case to the Supreme Court.

Earlier, Mattie McGrath called on the government to suspend the final vote on the Bill in light of the legal action. He believes the Oireachtas has “no right to vote on a Bill that contains provisions that have been put to the Irish people in referenda and which they in a sovereign exercise rejected”.

Those provisions, according to the Tipperary TD, include the rejection of the proposed repeal of sections 58 and 59 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the no vote in the 2002 referendum referring to protecting life from implantation.

The Dáil will resume its debate on the legislation at 5pm today. TDs are expected to sit until at least midnight.

Read: Taoiseach defends marathon Dáil sitting, says he’s “hopeful” of a final vote today

More: At least 21 women from every county in Ireland had an abortion in the UK last year

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