Anti-abortion protester interrupts event attended by campaigners for Yes vote

An anti-abortion campaigner has interrupted an event held to show support for the Yes campaign ahead of the Irish referendum on repealing the eight amendment.

Minister for Health Simon Harris joined politicians from other parties for the Women's Health in Ireland event in Dublin on Tuesday as the country prepares to vote at the end of the week.

But, as the politicians posed for a group photograph, activist Tim Jackson, who was at the event as a member of the media, began to shout questions.

No campaigners at a demonstration (Niall Carson/PA)
No campaigners at a demonstration (Niall Carson/PA)

He asked if Mr Harris would resign if there was a No vote in the referendum and asked: "Are you in favour of killing innocent human beings?"

As politicians applauded to show their support for the campaign, Mr Jackson shouted: "Can you continue clapping for the killing of Irish children?"

He also asked: "Anyone want to vote for politicians' right to life?"

He was asked to leave the event at the Davenport Hotel.

Mr Harris, who had been expected to take questions from the media, also left following the outburst.

Protesters calling for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment (Niall Carson/PA)
Protesters calling for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment (Niall Carson/PA)

Earlier he had thanked colleagues from across the political spectrum for working together in the interests of women.

He said: "For far too long we have buried our heads in the sand in this country, we have ignored the reality of crisis pregnancy and this resulted in at least nine women every single day having to leave this jurisdiction to access healthcare abroad.

"It has resulted in at least three women every single day having to take the abortion pill on their own, without any medical supervision.

"We cannot continue to ignore realities."

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