Thousands are expected to attend the annual Rally for Life rally in Dublin today, organisers have said. 

Newly released figures have revealed 8,156 abortions took place in Ireland last year and attendees want the Government to implement policies that will reduce that figure. 

They are also calling a review into allegations that some doctors and nurses have been pressured into carrying out abortions.

“I think there’s a real sense that people want to hold the Government to account,” organiser,” spokesperson Niamh Uí Bhrian said. 

“To call for them to urgently tackle the spiralling abortion rate and reject any of the measures that are currently being put forward that would push that rate up even further.”

02/07/2022. Pro Life protest. Pictured people gathering ahead of a Pro Life demonstration in Dublin this afternoon. Photo:Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Earlier this week, the Cabinet signed off on legislation for so-called ‘safe access zones’ that will ban pro-life vigils or protests within 100 metres of a medical centre that carries out abortions. 

In 2018, the people of Ireland voted to repeal the eighth amendment of the Constitution and permit abortion by a margin of 66% to 34%. 

The only constituency to vote no was Donegal. 

Main image: A pro-life rally. Picture by: Alamy.com