Taoiseach hails 'resounding' abortion poll victory

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the country has voted resoundingly Yes to liberalise its strict abortion laws.

Mr Varadkar claimed Ireland was united - with men and women, nearly every age group and every social class opting for reform in Friday's referendum.

He campaigned for the change, which he said represented the compassionate choice for women forced to travel to England for terminations or taking unregulated abortion pills.

He said: "The public have spoken, the result appears to be resounding in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment, possibly to carry every constituency in the country."

With polling data suggesting seven out of 10 voters backed reform, campaigners in favour suggested it meant a moment of profound change - when the nation had collectively stood up for women and their healthcare.

The vote saw citizens effectively opt to either retain or repeal the Eighth Amendment of the state's constitution, which prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is in danger.

Earlier, no campaigners conceded defeat.