Over 10 thousand unborn babies are estimated to have been killed by abortion in the Republic of Ireland from January to November 2023.
Figures released from the Health Service Executive (HSE) to Carol Nolan TD reveal that, from January to November 2023, GPs made claims for reimbursements for a total of 9,218 abortions. This does not include abortions that were carried out in a hospital setting.
This is a sharp surge in abortion rates compared to figures from the previous year when 8,876 abortions are estimated to have been carried out.
Responding to the figures, Carol Nolan TD said Ireland is now facing an “epidemic of loss”.
Deputy Nolan said: “Thousands of women are being betrayed by the over promotion of abortion as the only possible response to pregnancy in certain circumstances and the cruel under promotion of life affirming alternatives.”
Eilís Mulroy, Pro-Life Campaign Ireland spokesperson, said that 2023 was likely the highest year on record for abortion rates in the Republic of Ireland, and that the Government cannot continue to “bury its head in the sand”.
Irish voters repealed the Eighth Amendment in May 2018 -which protected the equal right to life of a mother and unborn child, authorising the Oireachtas to legislate for abortion.
Abortion can be carried out until the 12th week of pregnancy in the Republic of Ireland and later in other circumstances.
SPUC comment
A SPUC spokesperson said: “The right to life is the fundamental right shared by all members of the human family. It is never justified to take the life of even one innocent child, but Ireland’s abortion death toll is truly horrifying.
“No government, no state, regardless of a referendum can abrogate the God-given right to life of even one member of the human family. Abortion is never justified, every child has the right to be born regardless of their stage of development, their disabilities or the circumstances of their conception.
"The pro-life people of Ireland have fought a long, hard battle to protect women and children from abortion. It is very important that they do not remain silent in the face of this terrible injustice. Their commitment to defend every individual unborn child by speaking out against abortion at every opportunity will, in the end, prove to be decisive."