The Strasbourg judges condemned Roman Catholic Ireland for having laws that made it effectively impossible for a woman to get a lawful abortion, even if her life was threatened.
Catholic anti-abortion campaigners have reacted furiously to the ruling and called for a constitutional referendum on any future changes to the law, a popular vote that would be risky in Ireland as resentment to an EU-IMF austerity package grows.
“We have a choice between legislation and a referendum and our strong proposal is that we should be a referendum,” said Dr William Binchy, of Ireland’s Pro-Life campaign.
Full story: Ireland condemned for anti-abortion law – Telegraph