Legal

Elaine Byrne: Abortion review shows how far Ireland has moved on from bitter debates of old

The O’Shea review is an objective, expert report which recommends a number of operational and legislative changes

A mural in Dublin's city centre by art group Subset calling for 'Repeal The 8th' ahead of the referendum on the 8th Amendment in 2018. Picture: PA

“UN warns Sudan unrest could spread across the region” was the first headline on the RTÉ Six One News last Wednesday.

The review into abortion services in the state, written by barrister Marie O’Shea for the Department of Health, was published that same day. It competed on the news cycle with an important international story and an ongoing controversy regarding a senior Gsoc investigator who resigned after attending a party to celebrate the acquittal of ...