An Irish pro-choice group has called for the provision of safe legal abortion services in this country and describes the current situation as "hypocrisy". The Women On Waves Ireland Group was speaking at the floating abortion clinic which is docked in Dublin Bay. There were no protests at the Dutch ship, The Aurora, which will remain in the city until next week. Due to a legal hitch in Holland, the Group will not be offering abortion to Irish women outside territorial waters as originally planned.
However, the pro-choice women's group who brought the floating abortion clinic to Dublin said that they intend to return with a full licence to carry out abortions off Irish waters. The Women on Waves Group said that they were disappointed that last minute legal hitches meant they could not offer abortions to Irish women here. They said that up to 80 Irish women requested the service.
The ship docked in Dublin last night, following a delay caused by bad weather. Protests, which were expected from pro-life supporters, have not yet taken place. A Garda launch accompanied the 100-foot converted fishing trawler, Aurora, on its arrival to Dublin. It is expected to dispense contraceptives and family planning advice in Dublin before going on to Cork.
