A PRO-LIFE vigil took place in Dublin today, with organisers saying that “close to 15,000″ people turned out for the event.

There was no official garda figure for the number of attendees, but gardaí did say the vigil passed off without incident.

It was the first such pro-life vigil since the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act became law.

The main organiser of the vigil was the Pro Life Campaign, but other pro-life groups were also involved.

Encouraged

Pro Life Campaign legal consultant, Caroline Simons described the legislation as a “setback” last year.

“We realise it’s going to be a difficult road back but we are massively encouraged that so many people are ready to get on board at this stage to help turn things around,” she said.

Simons said that “when the public comes to realise the full horror of what the new legislation involves support for the repeal of the law will gather pace”.

The Pro Life Campaign said it is due to release a recently commissioned poll “showing a clear majority of women are opposed to abortion where it is shown that abortion is not a treatment for suicidal feelings”.

Speakers who addressed the crowd included the Pro Life Campaign’s Deputy Chairperson, Cora Sherlock, Lynn Coles from Women Hurt and Jennifer Kehoe, mother of a child diagnosed before birth with a life-shortening condition.

A video message about abortion from Julia Holcomb, former girlfriend of Aerosmith singer, Steve Tyler, was also played, as was a video “challenging media bias”.