Pro-life groups can intervene in Northern Ireland abortion case Belfast, --The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) and other pro-life groups have been allowed to make submissions to the Belfast high court in a case concerning abortion in Northern Ireland. Mr Justice Kerr this morning ordered that the groups should file written submissions within five weeks. On 5 December he will decide which groups will be able to make spoken submissions. The pro-life groups are Care, Life, Precious Life and SPUC. The Family Planning Association wants the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to issue guidance on abortion services in Northern Ireland. Mrs Betty Gibson, SPUC organiser for Northern Ireland, said: "This decision emphasises the considerable opposition that there is across the community to any liberalisation of abortion practice and law in Northern Ireland. "It is encouraging that all the groups in Northern Ireland will have the opportunity of working together in protecting the rights of unborn children."