Irish hospitals are providing insufficient care for several babies which have died after having been born alive following ‘failed’ late-term abortions.
In response to a parliamentary question by Independent TD Ken O’Flynn, the Health Service Executive revealed that in 2022, twelve babies were born alive in Irish hospitals after attempted abortions and died shortly afterwards. Similarly, ten were born alive in 2020 surviving only briefly. Data was not given for other years.
In 2018, following the abortion referendum, TDs were accused of using “shock tactics” for suggesting that hospitals could be in a situation where ‘unwanted’ babies were born alive, and questioning what care would be provided for them.
O’Flynn said: “It is hard to fathom that babies are being born alive after abortions in Ireland and sadly you have to go round in circles just to get answers as to how the babies are treated once they come into this world.”
He called for “a lot more openness surrounding the medical care given to or withheld from the babies in these appalling situations.”
He added: “The answer to my parliamentary question should serve as the beginning, not the end, of the flow of information.”
The Pro Life Campaign posted on social media: “12 babies were BORN ALIVE after abortion in Ireland in a single year. This raises serious questions about what medical care they were given – or denied – before they died. Their short lives DEMAND accountability.”