Pro Life Campaign

After the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland was ratified in September 1983, a number of those involved in that campaign, including some lawyers, decided to initiate legal proceedings through SPUC (Society for the Protection of Unborn Children; Ireland). The targets were two pregnancy advisory agencies in Dublin. The cases started in 1985, won at the Supreme Court of Ireland (1988) and the Court of Justice of the European Union (1992). That same year, the X Case arose, and abortion in potentially wide circumstances was endorsed by the Irish Supreme Court.

The group that had planned the SPUC (Ireland) cases at once advised the setting up of the Pro Life Campaign (PLC). Within a week of the court judgement, it had set up an office in North Great George's Street and held its first press conference on 10 March. The chairman, and later honorary president,{{cite magazine|title=Birthright|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/55009763/Birthright-May-2011|magazine=Birthright|date=May 2011|page=3}} was Des Hanafin, who had played a central role in the 1983 campaign.{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=20 June 1992|page=5|title=Anti-abortion group gearing up for the autumn referendum|first=Geraldine|last=Kennedy|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1992/0620/Pg005.html#Ar00500|quote=The Pro-Life Campaign was already preparing for the next substantive issue on the political agenda at its headquarters in North Great George's Street, in Dublin|accessdate=28 July 2016}}

Pro Life Campaign is a trading name of VIE Ltd, a private limited company incorporated in Ireland in June 1993.{{cite web|url=http://www.conorfarrell.com/the-problems-with-the-pro-life-campaign-charity/|title=The Problem(s) with the Pro Life Campaign: Charity?|date=21 June 2013|access-date=12 February 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.solocheck.ie/Irish-Company/V-I-E-Company-Limited-By-Guarantee-204461|title=V I E Company Limited By Guarantee|publisher=SoloCheck|access-date=12 February 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.lobbying.ie/organisation/1273/pro-life-campaign|title=Pro Life Campaign|publisher=Standards in Public Office Commission|access-date=12 February 2017}} Its founding directors were Joe McCarroll, Owen Doyle, Mary Barrett, John O'Reilly, Barry Kiely, Des Hanafin, Marie Vernon, Catherine Bannon, Jerry Collins, Michael Lucey and Desmond McDoland.{{cite web|url=https://www.duedil.com/company/IE204461/v-i-e-company-limited-by-guarantee/directors|website=DueDill.com|access-date=13 February 2017|title=V I E Company limited by Guarantee - Directors}}

In 1992, in the wake of the X Case, there were three abortion referendums in Ireland (12th, 13th and 14th).

The government had proposed the 12th Amendment Bill as an attempt to rule out the risk of suicide as a ground for an abortion. It would have added the following clause to Article 40.3.3º:

{{quote frame|It shall be unlawful to terminate the life of an unborn unless such termination is necessary to save the life, as distinct from the health, of the mother where there is an illness or disorder of the mother giving rise to a real and substantial risk to her life, not being a risk of self-destruction.}}

The Pro Life Campaign rejected this wording as too broad, and proposed the following alternative wording:

{{quote frame|It shall be unlawful to act in such a way as to bring about the termination of the life of an unborn unless such termination arises indirectly as a side-effect of treatment designed to protect the life of the mother.}}

The PLC also called for a No vote on the 14th Amendment which allowed for the provision of information on services outside the state. It was strongly opposed to the 13th, which allowed for travel outside the state, but did not call for a No vote.{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|title=Pro-Life Campaign not to field candidates|date=5 November 1992|page=4|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1992/1105/Pg004.html#Ar00402|accessdate=27 July 2016|quote=The PLC will campaign for a "No" vote on the proposed constitutional amendment allowing the termination of pregnancy to save the life as distinct from the health ... will also campaign against the amendment allowing for abortion information ... On the travel amendment, the PLC will make no recommendation but is "strongly critical" of it}}

Both the 13th and 14th amendments were passed. The 12th amendment bill was defeated, after a combination of liberal campaigners who did not support excluding a risk of suicide as a ground, and those in the PLC.

The Pro Life Campaign campaigned for a Yes vote on the Twenty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2002.{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/reasonable-compromise-beset-by-a-tide-of-controversy-1.1052966|title='Reasonable compromise' beset by a tide of controversy|quote=The bishops gave it their enthusiastic backing and, unlike in 1992, never wavered in their support. The main pro-life groups, the Pro-Life Campaign and the Pro-Life Movement, did likewise.|accessdate=2 August 2016|date=8 March 2002|newspaper=The Irish Times}}{{cite news|quote=The campaign for a Yes vote is spearheaded by the Pro-Life Campaign|title='No' campaigners hope rejection will open door to abortion|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/no-campaigners-hope-rejection-will-open-door-to-abortion-1.1051982|date=27 February 2002|accessdate=2 August 2016|newspaper=The Irish Times}}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/vote-yes-1.1052550|date=4 March 2002|title=Vote Yes|first=Berry|last=Kiely|accessdate=2 August 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.prolifecampaign.ie/ |title=Ireland's Pro Life Campgaign website |accessdate=2010-12-17 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020527102030/http://www.prolifecampaign.ie/ |archivedate=27 May 2002 }} A statement on their website read:

{{blockquote|sign=|source=| We welcome the proposed 25th Amendment (Protection of Human Life in Pregnancy) Bill and are calling for a 'YES' vote.
The Amendment restores protection to unborn children. It protects women by ensuring the lawful availability of necessary medical treatment to save their lives.

The reality of unexpected pregnancies also challenges us to put the resources in place to meet the real needs of women. A clear law on the right to life is an important first step to framing social policies to help reduce our abortion rate.

Pro Life Campaign, {{cite web|url=http://www.prolifecampaign.ie/ |title=Ireland's Pro Life Campaign website |accessdate=2010-12-17 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020527102030/http://www.prolifecampaign.ie/ |archivedate=27 May 2002 }}}}

During the campaign, a member referenced the Finnish study published in the British Medical Journal which claimed women were six times more likely to commit suicide after abortion than if they went through with their pregnancies.{{cite web|url=http://www.prolifecampaign.ie/stats.htm |title=Statistics on abortion and related issues |accessdate=2016-08-02 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020610143430/http://www.prolifecampaign.ie/stats.htm |archivedate=10 June 2002 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/seasoned-anti-abortion-activists-battle-voter-confusion-in-galway-1.1051890|title=Seasoned anti-abortion activists battle voter confusion in Galway|date=27 February 2002|accessdate=2 August 2016|first=Michelle|last=McDonagh|newspaper=The Irish Times|quote=She alluded to the Finnish study published in the British Medical Journal which claimed women were six times more likely to commit suicide after abortion than if they went through with their pregnancies}}

The Pro Life Campaign was the second largest spender during the referendum, spending €350,000. It received €200,000 of undisclosed donations during the campaign.{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=27 March 2003|title=Anti-abortion poll outlay €750,000|quote=The second biggest spender was the Pro-Life Campaign, which said it spent €350,000 during the campaign and received €200,000. The source of the donations was not disclosed. Individually, the two groups spent more than the main political parties.}}

The Pro-Life Campaign has consultative NGO status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council, granted in 2011.{{cite web|url=https://undocs.org/E/2015/INF/5|title=List of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council as of 1 September 2015|date=22 August 2016|page=82|publisher=United Nations Economic and Social Council|access-date=1 March 2017}}

It has participated in regular sessions organised by the Council to oversee the various covenants affecting Ireland, and attended and made written submissions to Universal Periodic Reviews into Ireland.

In June 2015, the PLC participated in a General Discussion on Article 6 (Right to Life) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.{{cite press release|url=http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=16234&LangID=E%7CHuman

|title=Human Rights Committee discusses draft General Comment on the right to life|date=14 July 2015|access-date=1 March 2017|publisher=United Nations Human Rights Committee}}

In February 2017, the PLC participated in the 66th Session of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), where it advocated against any change to Ireland's abortion law.{{cite web|url=http://prolifecampaign.ie/main/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/PLC-CEDAW-Submission-2017.pdf|title=SUBMISSION ON THE CEDAW|author=Pro Life Campaign|access-date=1 March 2017|date=20 January 2017}}

The PLC organised a protest in Merrion Square in June 2013, as the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 was being debated. Official figures put the crowd at 15,000 to 20,000 people, with the organisers claiming 50,000.{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=8 June 2013|first=Dan|last=Keenan|quote=Official estimates put the crowd at between 15,000 and 20,000 although protest organisers claimed “a conservative figure of 50,000"|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/thousands-attend-dublin-abortion-rally-1.1422065|title=Thousands attend Dublin abortion rally }} Attendees included GAA Tyrone football manager Mickey Harte, Adele Best of Women Hurt, Jennifer Kehoe, Maria Steen and Íde Nic Mathúna, co-founder of Youth Defence.{{cite news|last=Barry|first=Aoife|title=Thousands turn out for Pro-Life vigil in Dublin|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/pro-life-vigil-for-life-dublin-942833-Jun2013/|date=11 June 2013|newspaper=TheJournal.ie}} The Bill was approved in the Dáil by 127 votes to 31.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-23277590|title=Ireland's parliament approves 'life-saving' abortion|publisher=BBC News|date=12 July 2013}} It passed its final stage in the Seanad on 23 July 2013, by 39 votes to 14.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/seanad-passes-abortion-legislation-by-39-votes-to-14-1.1472840|title=Seanad passes abortion legislation by 39 votes to 14 |last=O'Halloran|first=Marie|date=23 July 2013|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=23 July 2013}} It was signed into law on 30 July by Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/president-higgins-signs-abortion-bill-into-law-29459937.html|title=President Higgins signs abortion bill into law|date=30 July 2013|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=30 July 2013}}

A 2014 "National Vigil" took place at Merrion Square on 3 May 2014,{{cite web|url=http://prolifecampaign.ie/main/portfolio/detail/plans-announced-national-vigil-life-2014/|title=28.03.2014 PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR NATIONAL VIGIL FOR LIFE ON 3RD MAY|publisher=Pro Life Campaign|date=28 March 2014|access-date=12 February 2017}} and was attended by about 4,500 people, with the organisers claiming 15,000. They criticised the newly passed Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act. Speakers included Cora Sherlock, Caroline Simons, and Lynn Coles of Women Hurt.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/thousands-protest-in-dublin-against-abortion-law-1.1783281|title=Thousands protest in Dublin against abortion law|first=Kitty|last=Holland|date=3 May 2014|access-date=12 February 2017}}

The Pro Life Campaign has been involved in European, local, and general elections by producing a 'voter guide', which ranks all candidates based on their position on abortion.{{cite web|url=http://prolifecampaign.ie/main/general-election-2016/|title=GENERAL ELECTION 2016 : USE YOUR VOTE TO PROTECT HUMAN LIFE|publisher=Pro Life Campaign|access-date=17 February 2017}} In the 2016 general election, their guided focused on the position (and voting record) of candidates based on their stance on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013.{{Cite web |date=6 May 2024 |title=Voters urged to consider positions on abortion at pro-life rally |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2024/0506/1447631-pro-life-rally-dublin/}} In the 2020 general election, it centred on the candidates' positions on the 2018 abortion referendum and their voting record on the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 (if applicable).

Ahead of the 2024 general election, Pro Life Campaign spokesperson Eilís Mulroy explained the purpose of their voter guide was to "direct pro-life voters towards the best candidates and help ensure that in the next Dáil pro-life voices are represented". She also urged voters to "tactically vote against candidates we least want to see elected".{{Cite web |last=Mulroy |first=Eilis |date=2024-11-21 |title=Applying pro-life votes effectively in General Election |url=https://www.irishcatholic.com/applying-pro-life-votes-effectively-in-general-election/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=The Irish Catholic |language=en-US}}

The Pro Life Campaign has also spent money on advertising during elections,{{Cite web |last=Whelan |first=John |date=2020-02-16 |title=How the power of prayer was the secret weapon to get Laois-Offaly TD back to the Dáil |url=https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/02/16/how-the-power-of-prayer-was-the-secret-weapon-to-get-laois-offaly-td-back-to-the-dail/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Laois Today |language=en-GB}} such as €40,000 during the 2016 Irish general election{{cite news|publisher=RTE|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2017/0113/844693-standards-in-public-office/|quote=Figures from SIPO also show the Pro-Life Campaign spent more than €40,000 in the General Election last year, with more than half of that spent on advertising.|title=Donation oversight was 'my fault', says Reilly|date=13 January 2017|access-date=13 February 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://static.rasset.ie/documents/news/sipo-dail-general-election-of-26-february-20161.pdf|title=Dáil General Election 26 February 2016|date=December 2016|publisher=Standards in Public Office Commission}} and €37,345 in the 2020 general election.{{Cite web |last=Hosford |first=Paul |date=2021-11-18 |title=Two big parties spent most in Election 2020, Munster county topped constituency spend |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40747608.html |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Irish Examiner |language=en}}

In 2016 the Irish government established the Citizens' Assembly, a group of 99 citizens, to discuss the Eighth Amendment, and then make recommendation to the government. This is similar to the 2012 Constitutional Convention.

While the PLC criticised the Citizens' Assembly, claiming it has a pre-arranged outcome,{{cite news|publisher=RTE|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/2016/0728/805346-abortion/|title=Pro Life Campaign says Citizens' Assembly has pre-arranged outcome|date=10 September 2016}} it nonetheless participated, making a presentation to the Assembly in March 2017.{{cite web|url=http://prolifecampaign.ie/main/portfolio/detail/05-03-17-plc-presentation-citizens-assembly/|title=PLC presentation|publisher=Pro Life Campaign|date=5 March 2017|accessdate=20 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.citizensassembly.ie/en/News/17-Advocacy-Groups-to-Address-Citizens-Assembly-on-the-Topic-of-Eighth-Amendment.html|title=17 Advocacy Groups to Address Citizens' Assembly on the Topic of Eighth Amendment|date=21 February 2017|publisher=Citizens' Assembly}}

In June 2017, Leo Varadkar, who became Taoiseach following his victory in the May Fine Gael leadership election, signaled his intention to hold a referendum in 2018 on whether to replace Article 40.3.3.º of the Constitution, which provided "an equal right to life to the mother and the unborn."{{Cite news |last1=O'Regan |first1=Michael |last2=O'Halloran |first2=Marie |title=Abortion referendum to be held next year, Varadkar says |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/abortion-referendum-to-be-held-next-year-varadkar-says-1.3119981 |access-date=2022-05-16 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}} The Pro Life Campaign responded by expressing its disappointment that Varadkar had announced the decision prematurely before the special Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment had submitted its findings.{{Cite news |date=17 June 2017 |title=Abortion Plans |pages=17 |work=Evening Echo}}

The Pro Life Campaign was critical of the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment's recommendations published in January, which they claimed were “exclusively focused on taking away all meaningful protection from unborn babies.” They further criticised the committee for failing to hear the perspectives of “families who say their children are alive today because of the Eighth Amendment."{{Cite news |last=Sherlock |first=Cora |date=12 January 2018 |title='Scrutiny Issue' |work=Evening Echo}} Solicitor and PLC spokesperson Cora Sherlock echoed this argument later in January in response to an Irish Times opinion poll which found 56% of people supported changing the constitution while only 29% supported retaining the Eighth Amendment. She expressed confidence that the polls would reverse due to growing discussion “about families who have been saved by the Eighth Amendment."{{Cite news |last=McConnell |first=Daniel |date=27 January 2018 |title=Harris set to back "enabling" clause on abortion |work=Irish Examiner}}

On 31 January, the Government formally decided to progress with holding a referendum in early summer. The date was later fixed for 24 May 2018. Reacting on 1 February to the decision, PLC spokesperson Dr Ruth Cullen stated that “what was being proposed was the removal of the legal protection from unborn babies and the provision of abortion on demand” and urged voters to reject the referendum's proposals.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2018 |title=Eighth Amendment referendum to take place in early summer |work=Northern Standard}}

In the referendum on the Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2018 to replace the provisions of Article 40.3.3º with a clause allowing for legislation on the termination of pregnancy, which passed by a two-thirds majority, the Pro Life Campaign organised the unsuccessful Love Both campaign. Love Both described itself as a “nationwide movement” and had key spokespeople involved. Love Both was distinguished from other No campaigns as it promoted a “pro-woman anti-abortion discourse."{{Cite journal |last1=Browne |first1=Kath |last2=Nash |first2=Catherine Jean |date=2020 |title=in Ireland we 'love both'?: heteroactivism in Ireland's anti-Repeal ephemera |journal=Feminist Review |volume=124 |pages=63|doi=10.1177/0141778919895262 |doi-access=free }} The campaign was distinguished by its emphasis on “talk[ing] passionately about human rights”, and its presentation of young women, students, and “professionals in suits” as its public activist base, according to The Guardian newspaper.{{Cite news |last=Sherwood |first=Harriet |date=24 May 2018 |title=Anti-abortion activists make final push for Ireland's vote |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/24/anti-abortion-activists-final-push-ireland-vote-referendum-love-both |access-date=26 July 2022}}

From February, the PLC launched the “Love Both Roadshow”, which was described as an “information campaign”. It saw anti-abortion campaigners travel to various urban centres across Ireland until the end stages of the referendum campaign. The campaigners claimed that since 1983 approximately 100,000 people have been born who would not have been were it not for the Eighth Amendment.{{Cite news |last=Holland |first=Kitty |date=9 February 2018 |title=Campaign to keep Eighth Amendment 'has not started yet' |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/campaign-to-keep-eighth-amendment-has-not-started-yet-1.3386861 |access-date=26 July 2022}} Many such events were held in towns during the referendum campaign and became a staple of the PLC's public activism.

In March, PLC spokesperson Cora Sherlock condemned remarks from Fine Gael politician Regina Doherty that the repeal campaign would “not accept a No vote in the upcoming referendum"{{Cite news |last1=Leahy |first1=Pat |last2=Marlowe |first2=Laura |date=18 March 2018 |title=Repeal campaigners will not accept a No vote, says Minister |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/repeal-campaigners-will-not-accept-a-no-vote-says-minister-1.3430112 |access-date=26 July 2022}} as being “arrogant and deeply undemocratic".{{Cite news |date=22 March 2018 |title=Minister's remarks show "contempt towards voters" – Pro Life Campaign |work=Northern Standard}} On 31 March spokespeople from the Love Both Roadshow in Mullingar questioned whether “we can trust politicians to lead us on this” and complained that the No campaign were “not really getting a fair hearing” in the media.{{Cite news |last=Hughes |first=Paul |date=31 March 2018 |title=Love Both asks if we can "trust politicians to lead us on this" |work=Westmeath Examiner}}

The Love Both and wider No campaign generated significant support within the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, with thirty-one TDs and Senators from the party appearing for a photo-call on 1 May at Merrion Square holding Love Both placards and urging the electorate to “vote No” and to “support women, protect babies, save lives."{{Cite news |last=Bardon |first=Sarah |date=3 May 2018 |title=Photo shows extent of Fianna Fáil party backing for No vote |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/photo-shows-extent-of-fianna-fail-party-backing-for-no-vote-1.3482017 |access-date=26 July 2022}} This contrasted with the pro-repeal position adopted by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin, who told the Dáil in January that whilst he was “instinctively on the pro-life side of the abortion debate”, he was influenced to support a Yes vote owing to expert opinion and by the deliberations of both the Citizens’ Assembly and the Oireachtas Committee.{{Cite book |last1=Gallagher |first1=Michael |title=How Ireland Voted 2020: The End of an Era |last2=Marsh |first2=Michael |last3=Reidy |first3=Theresa |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2021 |location=London |pages=13}}

Love Both launched its "official" referendum campaign at the Alex Hotel, Dublin on 18 April 2018. The event was attended by six TDs: Peter Fitzpatrick, Éamon Ó Cuív, Kevin O’Keefe, Declan Breathnach, Mattie McGrath and Michael Healy-Rae. The campaign concentrated its messaging on characterising the proposal as “extreme”, amounting to “abortion on demand” and being similar to the British abortion law.{{Cite news |last=Baker |first=Sinead |date=18 April 2018 |title=Love Both launches its referendum campaign and criticises 12 weeks proposal for abortion |work=TheJournal.ie |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/love-both-campaign-launch-no-vote-3964140-Apr2018 |access-date=26 July 2022}}

In May, a further six regional Love Both rallies took place across the country, with a final rally in Merrion Square, Dublin attracting thousands of participants. The final rally heard speeches from Caroline Simons, legal advisor to Love Both, and from Dr Andrew O’Regan of the "Medical Alliance for the 8th" campaign.{{Cite news |date=18 May 2018 |title=Thousands attend final Love Both rally |work=Longford Leader}} At an event hosted by Love Both's Roadshow in Monaghan on 10 May, former UCD Students' Union President and Love Both spokesperson, Katie Ascough, told her audience that a Yes vote would remove the obligation for the Government to go directly to the people through a referendum on issues related to abortion and “they would be free to make whatever laws they want."{{Cite news |date=10 May 2018 |title=Love Both Vote No tour visits Monaghan |work=Northern Standard}}

On 22 May controversy was generated when the PLC spokesperson Cora Sherlock “pulled out” of an RTÉ Prime Time debate scheduled for that evening, due to the refusal of RTÉ to swap out Sherlock for Maria Steen, following the latter's appearance on a Claire Byrne Live debate the previous week where she “had impressed” in her performance.{{Cite news |last=Hosford |first=Paul |date=22 May 2018 |title=She wasn't allowed on the RTÉ debate, and now Maria Steen has pulled herself out of the TV3 one |work=TheJournal.ie |url=https://www.thejournal.ie/last-tv-debates-referendum-campaign-4028203-May2018/ |access-date=26 July 2022}} The controversy about the selection of No campaign debaters was described as a “Mexican stand-off” at Montrose following Sherlock's withdrawal.{{Cite news |last=Doyle |first=Kevin |date=22 May 2018 |title='Mexican stand-off' at Montrose: RTÉ 'disappointed' Cora Sherlock 'unavailable' for final TV debate |work=Irish Independent |url=https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/abortion-referendum/mexican-stand-off-at-montrose-rte-disappointed-cora-sherlock-unavailable-for-final-tv-debate-36936795.html |access-date=26 July 2022}} Eventually, the Sinn Féin TD Peadar Tóibín participated in a head-to-head debate with Minister for Health, Simon Harris, which aired on the evening of 22 May. The following day, RTÉ's handling of the debate was criticised by the Love Both campaign and the state broadcaster was accused of “failing to achieve balance on the panel” due to their decision to invite the pro-repeal Prof Mary Higgins onto a panel debate but failed to invite a medic from the No side. The campaign described this as “utterly unacceptable”. RTÉ defended its handling of the debate as being “fair and equitable".{{Cite news |date=23 May 2018 |title=RTÉ defends 'fair and equitable' Prime Time debate |work=RTÉ |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0523/965432-eighth-amendment |access-date=26 July 2022}}

In the last stages of the referendum, the PLC and Love Both concentrated on urging voters to reject the referendum on the basis that the proposed abortion legislation was “extremist". Katie Ascough claimed on 17 May that the prospective abortion law would be “more extreme than the law in Britain".{{Cite news |date=19 May 2018 |title=Love Both battle bus rolls into Navan as countdown continues to May 25th |work=Meath Chronicle}}

On 23 May, the day before the poll, Cora Sherlock described the referendum as giving the Government “a blank cheque to write whatever abortion law it wants, no matter how extreme."{{Cite news |last=Sherlock |first=Cora |date=23 May 2018 |title=We shouldn't ignore the child in the womb and her basic rights |work=Irish Examiner}} Following the vote on 24 May and the release of an exit poll which predicted a “landslide victory for the Yes side”, Love Both expressed the view that the result represented “a very sad day for Ireland” and called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to include restrictions within any future abortion legislation.{{Cite news |date=27 May 2018 |title=Reaction: 'The country has listened. Women have spoken' |newspaper=The Irish Times |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/reaction-the-country-has-listened-women-have-spoken-1.3509819 |access-date=26 July 2022}}

In the aftermath of their referendum defeat, Love Both spokesperson in Cork, Maeve O’Hanlon, said the group would campaign “to keep the number of abortions low".{{Cite news |date=28 May 2018 |title='No' side will work for lower abortion |work=Evening Echo}} PLC spokesperson Ruth Cullen pledged to hold Varadkar “to his promise that repeal would only lead to abortion in very restrictive circumstances."{{Cite news |last1=O'Leary |first1=Naomi |last2=Wheaton |first2=Sarah |date=26 May 2018 |title=Ireland brings abortion out of the shadows' |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/ireland-eighth-amendment-brings-abortion-out-of-the-shadows |access-date=26 July 2022}} Following the referendum defeat, the Love Both campaign largely folded back into the Pro Life Campaign.

Love Both adopted a social media strategy which produced videos that foregrounded “young women representing different Irish counties” to counteract an impression that anti-abortion voices were “restricted to older people".{{Cite journal |last1=Stratham |first1=Simon |last2=Ringow |first2=Helen |date=2022 |title='Wrap our arms around them here in Ireland': Social media campaigns in the Irish abortion referendum |journal=Discourse & Society |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=549}} Social media advertising policies became a contentious aspect of the campaign, with Facebook taking steps to prevent efforts to “disrupt the referendum with disinformation.” On 6 April, a Love Both spokesperson said they were “wary of Facebook introducing ‘censorship’ during the referendum".{{Cite news |last=Weckler |first=Adrian |date=6 April 2018 |title=Facebook promises to stop fake profiles from affecting referendum |work=Evening Herald}} In May, Google announced a ban on all ads relating to the referendum and Facebook banned all foreign advertising on the issue. The Guardian noted that “the most obvious difference between the two sides of the campaign” was that No campaign ads used “emotional language” compared with the more “legalistic tone” of the Yes campaign ads.{{Cite news |last1=Duncan |first1=Pamela |last2=Holder |first2=Josh |date=24 May 2018 |title=How Facebook is influencing the Irish abortion referendum |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/ng-interactive/2018/may/24/how-facebook-is-influencing-the-irish-abortion-referendum |access-date=26 July 2022}}

The Pro Life Campaign organises an annual 'March for Life',{{Cite news |last=Young |first=David |date=6 May 2025 |title=Irish Daily Mail}} which typically attracts thousands of participants.{{Cite news |last=O'Sullivan |first=Colman |date=5 May 2025 |title=RTÉ |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/dublin/2025/0505/1511183-march-for-life/}} The event is typically held in Dublin, but has also been held in Donegal,{{Cite web |last=Writer |first=Staff |date=2022-05-24 |title=Pro-life march in Bundoran raises concerns over abortion rate |url=https://www.donegaldaily.com/2022/05/24/pro-life-march-in-bundoran-raises-concerns-over-abortion-rate/ |access-date=2025-05-07 |website=Donegal Daily |language=en-US}} Cork, and Galway.{{Cite news |date=18 March 2023 |title=Large attendance at recent Offaly Pro-Life AGM |work=Offaly Independent}}

{{see also|LGBT rights in the Republic of Ireland}}

Joe McCarroll co-founded, and was Chairperson of the Pro Life campaign {{cite magazine|magazine=Birthright|title=Birthright|publisher=Pro Life Campaign|date=Winter 1998|page=4|quote=DR. JOE McCARROLL, Chairperson|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/31118755/Pro-Life-Campaign-Ireland-Newsletter-Birthright-Winter-1998}} until December 2015.{{cite tweet|number=249458441746276353|user=CoraSherlock|title=Opening remarks by Dr Joe McCarroll, Chair of Pro Life Campaign at start of national seminar #plc2012|date=22 September 2012|author-link=Cora Sherlock}}{{cite web|url=http://prolifecampaign.ie/main/our-work/our-people/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150429172645/http://prolifecampaign.ie/main/our-work/our-people/|archive-date=29 April 2015|quote=Dr. Joseph McCarroll is Chairperson of the Pro Life Campaign. He is also an author and social commentator.|title=Our People|publisher=Pro Life Campaign}}{{cite tweet|number=249500404763734016|user=CoraSherlock|title=Dr Joe McCarroll giving closing address at #plc2012 after a very successful seminar.|author-link=Cora Sherlock|date=22 September 2012}}{{cite tweet|number=717817162191282178|user=CoraSherlock|author-link=Cora Sherlock|title=@daithigorman What? Joe McCarroll is no longer Chairperson, hasn't been since December 2015. @JimJRedmond @Colmogorman|date=6 April 2016}} In 1993, as national secretary of Family Solidarity, he campaigned against the decriminalisation of homosexuality, calling it "unnatural",{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|page=4|date=23 April 1993|title=The case against homosexual law reform|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/archive/1993/0423/Pg012.html|last=McCarroll|first=Joseph}}{{subscription required}} In 2015, in the lead up to the marriage equality referendum, he campaigned against it, and called for a no vote.{{cite news|newspaper=Broadsheet.ie|url=http://www.broadsheet.ie/2015/05/12/slippery-slope-1993/|title=Slippery Slope, 1993|date=12 May 2015}} Writing in The Brandsma Review after the referendum that approved same-sex marriage), he accused the media of lying, and complained about funding from outside the State.{{cite magazine|url=https://brandsmareview.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/issue-137-march-april-2014/|title=WHAT DO YOU NEED TO SWING A REFERENDUM? BIG BUCKS, A BIG LIE AND A COMPLIANT MEDIA|magazine=The Brandsma Review|date=5 August 2015|first=Joseph|last=McCarroll|issue=137}}

Des Hanafin, co-founder, former leader{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=1 December 2001|page=10|first=Mark|last=Brennock|title=Abortion debate emerges again to vanquish illusion of consensus}} and former honorary president, accused equality campaigners in the same-sex marriage referendum of spreading a "palpable climate of fear", and called for a No vote.{{cite news|title=Yes camp has spread 'palpable climate of fear' says Hanafin|url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/referendum/yes-camp-has-spread-palpable-climate-of-fear-says-hanafin-31227218.html|newspaper=Irish Independent|first=Niall|last=O'Connor|date=16 May 2015}}{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|first=Des|last=Hanafin|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/government-s-dictatorial-attitude-makes-people-slow-to-say-they-re-voting-no-1.2217274|title=Government's dictatorial attitude makes people slow to say they're voting No|date=18 May 2015}} His son, Senator John Hanafin resigned from Fianna Fáil rather than vote for civil partnerships for same sex couples in 2010.

In 2005, Pro Life Campaign members wrote to a Dáil committee arguing against legal recognition of same-sex couples.{{cite news|newspaper=The Irish Times|date=11 March 2005|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/thousands-join-call-for-no-change-in-status-of-family-1.422071|first=Arthur|last=Beelsey|page=1|title=Thousands join call for no change in status of family}} The submission from the North Tipperary branch opposed any legal recognition of same sex couples, claiming same sex relationships were an "unnatural union" and "totally unacceptable, and an attack upon the family". The Cork North West branch submission asked "why can’t they [same-sex couples] make their own legal arrangements distinct from marriage?" and claimed "a homosexual environment is for raising children".{{cite web|url=https://www.constitution.ie/Documents/Oireachtas%2010th-Report-Family%202006.pdf|publisher=Oireachtas|title=Tenth Progress Report THE ALL-PARTY OIREACHTAS COMMITTEE ON THE CONSTITUTION|date=January 2006}}

{{Portal|Conservatism|Ireland}}

• Abortion in the Republic of Ireland
• Iona Institute
• Youth Defence
• Family Solidarity
• Des Hanafin
• Joe McCarroll

{{Reflist|35em}}

{{Abortion in the Republic of Ireland}}

Category:Anti-abortion organisations in the Republic of Ireland

Category:Conservatism in Ireland

Category:Political advocacy groups in the Republic of Ireland