CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the repeal of the Eighth Amendment appear to have conceded defeat following exit polls predicting a landslide Yes victory.
National broadcaster RTÉ and the Irish Times both conducted exit polls that projected a Yes victory of 69.4 per cent and 68 per cent respectively.
The results mirror polling carried out by The Irish Post this week.
Counting is underway and while official results are yet to come in, two prominent No groups conceded the exit polls painted a bleak picture.
Dr Ruth Cullen of the LoveBoth movement said: “If the exit polls are borne out today, it will represent a sea-change on abortion in Ireland and sadly pave the way for an abortion regime that has nothing to do with healthcare and everything to do with abortion on demand.”
LoveBoth promised to hold Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to his word (Image: RollingNews.ie)Paying tribute to campaign vounteers, Dr Cullen vowed the campaign to protect unborn babies will continue.
“We will hold the Taoiseach to his promise that repeal would only lead to abortion in very restrictive circumstances,” she added.
“He gave his word on this, now he must deliver on it. No doubt many people voted for repeal based on the Taoiseach’s promises in this regard.”
Meanwhile a statement on the Save the 8th website called the predicted Yes victory “a tragedy of historic proportions”.
The statement read: The 8th amendment did not create a right to life for the unborn child – it merely acknowledged that such a right exists, has always existed, and will always exist.
'Abortion remains wrong'
“What Irish voters did yesterday is a tragedy of historic proportions. However, a wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it.”
Live LoveBoth, the statement indicated that the fight for the rights of the unborn child was far from over.
“Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation,” it added.
“If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP-led service, we will oppose that as well.
“Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known.
"Abortion was wrong yesterday. It remains wrong today. The constitution has changed, but the facts have not.”
An official result is expected late in the afternoon.
