Northern Ireland: Figures show number of abortions

Official statistics released in response to an assembly question asked by SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey revealed that 92 women had pregnancy terminations in 2008. 

Seventy nine women underwent the procedure in NI the previous year, BBC News Online reports.

Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland, except when the mother’s life is at risk.

In May, a Department of Health report revealed that 1,173 women had travelled to England to have an abortion last year, in comparison to 1,343 for 2007.

Anti-abortion campaigners are currently mounting a legal action in an attempt to quash government guidelines on abortion in Northern Ireland which were published in March this year. The campaigners claim the guidance issued to health professionals is misleading and legally inaccurate.

Slight rise in NI abortion rate. BBC News Online, 10 November 2009