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Donegal's Eamon McGee on why he became an 8th Amendment activist

Donegal All-Ireland winner Eamon McGee was on OTB AM to discuss the 8th Amendment referendum, his...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.46 23 May 2018


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Donegal's Eamon McGee...

Donegal's Eamon McGee on why he became an 8th Amendment activist

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.46 23 May 2018


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Donegal All-Ireland winner Eamon McGee was on OTB AM to discuss the 8th Amendment referendum, his support for the 'Yes' campaign, and his personal journey from a pro-life to pro-choice voter. 

Eamon has been a vocal campaigner for the 'Yes' vote, but his journey was far from linear. After receiving only one side of the story in a Religion class, Eamon took the time to investigate the situation and is now calling for other young men to vote in Friday's referendum.

With Donegal a traditionally conservative part of the country, Eamonn also told us about some of the awkward situations in which he has found himself since campaigning.

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"It definitely has [been awkward to discuss the referendum.]

"I think there was one stage where I had the 'Yes' badge on, and I knew that the house I was going into was fairly conservative. I had forgotten to take off the badge - I had meant to take it off but I had forgotten. I landed in the house and I had my hand over the chest to hide the badge.

"There are strong, strong feelings on it and you do not necessarily have to be a hardcore conservative to have strong feelings. A few of the lads from the club - I would hope that the majority of them are voting yes - but there are a good few lads that have strong feelings.

"They have text me saying 'Why are you getting involved in that campaign? Do you not realise what it's about?' There has been definitely a response to that."

Eamon's personal journey was not as straightforward as it may first seem.

"I wasn't always a 'Yes' voter. I watched an abortion video in third year when I was in Religion class and that was abortion to me. It was bad, and the Religion teacher said 'This is bad and anyone who does this is a bad, bad person'. For years, I kept that idea in my head when I read about abortion and women that had abortions.

"Then you go into the big, bad world and you realise that life is not black and white. There are different scenarios and situations that women find themselves in and you realise that women have to have a choice. Eventually, you speak to women that have had abortions and you realise that they are not bad people.

"It was an evolution - I came to a point where I was paying attention to the Citizens' Assembly and Committee on the Eighth Amendment. You come to the position where you think that there has to be a repeal here. We can't have situations that have been happening down through the years."

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