AN IRISH pro-life group is planning to hold events featuring graphic images of aborted foetuses to persuade women not to travel to Britain for abortions at two Irish airports later this summer.
The Irish Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform (ICBR) announced on an email circular that it would hold an 'education project' at Dublin Airport and Cork Airport from July 29 until August 13.
In the circular, the group calls on volunteers to stand at airports holding placards with graphic abortion images so 'fewer [women] will undergo abortion.'
But the group's plans for airport events may be grounded after a spokesman for the airport authority DAA said they do not give permission for protests.
“Under statutory airport by-laws, the distribution of leaflets, pamphlets or other documentation to staff, passengers or visitors, or leaving such items on vehicles or in any areas at or within the airport and conducting or taking part in public meetings, demonstrations or processions are specifically prohibited unless permission has been given by the airport authority," the DAA said.
"We do not give permission for protests of any type at Dublin or Cork airports.”
In response, ICBR's Director, Jean Engela said: "We don't protest abortion. We don't have to. We simply hold up the photographic evidence of abortion and abortion protests itself.
"We will stand as close to the airport as we lawfully may," he added.
Some of the placards the group intend to hold. (Picture: ICBR)The group's circular email read:
"On average 15 women are travelling to the UK via our International Airports to undergo ‘abortion treatment’ or ‘abortion care’ at BPAS or Marie Stopes every working day Monday to Friday.
Standing at the airport in the mornings with these images of first trimester prenatal and abortion images entering and leaving these facilities, that expand their cashiers by evacuating wombs, is certain to expose the deception and provide recourse to abortion vulnerable women who no longer want to go through with it.
The more days we can organise volunteers to stand there, the more women will see these images and the fewer will undergo abortion. We will liaise with local crisis pregnancy centres and direct women who approach us to them for further counselling and support.
But many no doubt will simply do a U-turn at the airport or never arrive for their abortion appointment having decided on life-affirming options for their babies.
In addition to this, standing at the airport with these signs will ratchet up the tension and evoke media attention the same way it did when we travelled around following the Dutch-Based Abortion Pill Bus showing these women what ROSA wanted to do to their babies."
In a statement to The Irish Post, the group's Director, Jean Engela said: "The Public Education Displays will consist of medical images of aborted fetuses displayed on vinyl banners with brief, content-neutral, identifying captions.
"They are non-judgemental and non-polemical and offer no negative commentary concerning abortion, or the people who choose abortion, or the people who perform abortion.
"We are confident that An Garda Siochana will abide by its obligation to protect the rights of every citizen within its jurisdiction, including the rights of those who speak out publicly against abortion.
"It is our hope that they will do what they can to ensure that we, the volunteers, are free from unlawful interference with our Constitutional right to freedom of speech.
"In turn, we continue to pledge to scrupulously abide by all lawful rules and regulations governing public order on the public walkways of Dublin and Cork in which we intend on holding our education displays."
