On January 31, 1984, Ann Lovett passed away after delivering her baby in a grotto in Granard, Co Longford.
The 15-year-old schoolgirl gave birth to her son alone after keeping her pregnancy a secret.
Ann and her baby were discovered some time later by a group of children, who told the parish priest what had happened.
However, by the time an ambulance arrived, Ann and her son had already passed away.
Ann and her baby were buried quietly in Granardkill cemetery a few days later, but news of the schoolgirl’s death had already spread across the country.
A few months before Ann’s passing, Ireland had voted in favour of the Eighth Amendment, enshrining the right to the life of the unborn in the Irish constitution and ensuring that every Irish woman’s body was not her own.
Today, 34 years on, the people of Ireland are remembering Ann and the child that she lost.
Many have taken to Twitter to share their thoughts about the country that shamed young pregnant women into hiding then, and that still sends pregnant people away today.
31 Jan 1984: Irish schoolgirl dies of a post-partum haemorrhage after giving birth in a grotto in Granard. A frightened,lonely 15-year-old who had nowhere to turn. Ann Lovett & her son were victims of a culture which shamed women & girls when pregnant “out of wedlock”. #AnnLovett pic.twitter.com/RHi8yYt237
— Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC (@caoilfhionnanna) January 31, 2018
Today is Ann Lovett's anniversary.
"On a night like this I remember the child
who came with fifteen summers to her name,
and she lay down alone at my feet
without midwife or doctor or friend to hold her hand
and she pushed her secret out into the night"https://t.co/FTPqlnK4Nr— Siún Ní Dhuinn (@Siuners) January 31, 2018
34 years ago today, 4 months after the 8th amendment was signed into the Irish Constitution, 15-year old Ann Lovett gave birth alone beside a statue of the Virgin Mary. She and her baby boy perished shortly after. In 4 months we're going to repeal the 8th. Recognise the journey.
— ash 🇵🇸 (@StevieNicksTD) January 31, 2018
Strange times, and yet things haven’t really changed here. Not for women or girls. So much tragedy and we don’t know the half of it. We think #AnnLovett couldn’t happen all over again ? In 2015 baby Maria was found in Rathcoole at the side of the road, it still happens.
— polly molotov ♥️💙💚💛💜💖🍍 (@NursepollyRgn) January 31, 2018
The parish priest said “It’s a doctor you need.”
“I need you too, Father,” the farmer replied. “The baby is dead and the little girl might be dying too.”#AnnLovett https://t.co/wC6WKWC2Wo
— Donal O’Keeffe (@Donal_OKeeffe) January 31, 2018
And finally, Ann Lovett also died on this day. 1984. We cried for her then for what it was worth. I'm going to light my crying candle for her now. She really could have been any of one of us. I hope she Rests in Peace.
— Jennifer Canesten (@JennferCanesten) January 31, 2018
