Two months ago, a Northern Irish judge made a ruling calling the inability of women to access free, safe and legal abortions ‘a gross interference of her bodily autonomy.’
This ruling was hailed as a landmark step towards making abortion available in cases of fatal foetal abnormalities or cases of sexual crime such as rape or incest.
However, this ruling has been shot down by Stormont assembly members 59 to 40, RTÉ News reports.
The discussion around the issue ran to almost midnight, however the DUP and SDLP had already indicated they would not support the changes, with Sinn Féin in favour.
Unlike other parts of the UK, the Abortion Act does not extend to Northern Ireland, where you can only currently avail of one if the mother’s life or mental health is in danger.
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