They made the decision to share their story via the Amnesty International Campaign and to appeal for support to change the existing Irish laws.
Speaking as part of a campaign by Amnesty International calling for decriminalisation of abortion in Ireland, Linehan said "a place without abortion puts two lives in danger."
“I don’t think it is safe for women in Ireland to be pregnant. Abortion is an important medical procedure and when that’s taken off the table, then you’re not safe. A place without abortion puts two lives in danger, not one,” he said.
“In Ireland, Helen would be a criminal to have undergone the termination. She would have had to carry the child knowing it would die in great pain shortly after she had given birth to it,” he said. “I have always been very proud to be Irish but I am embarrassed by Ireland’s abortion laws. This is just something you can’t be proud of. It’s barbaric," he added.
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"It is a real tragedy that parents of babies with life-limiting conditions are unaware of the level of support and care that exists here for families who face difficult diagnoses. It is incredible to hear of the impact that these short but impactful lives have on families, siblings and the wider community," Sherlock said.
“It is very sad to think many families don’t know what supports are available, such as Hugh's House in Dublin which is a home from home and tremendous support to families of babies with life-shortening conditions. The almost exclusive focus on abortion in the debate is the reason why families are unaware of the supports out there. This situation will have to change," she added.
