Anti-abortion protests banned at gates of Laois Hospital in Portlaoise

Anti-abortion campaigners are banned from protesting in secure access areas within 100 meters of the entrance to Portlaoise Hospital or other termination of pregnancy services, under new regulations promulgated by the Minister of Health.

Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has announced that the Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Act 2024 will come into force on 17 October. These zones operate within 100 meters of the entrance or exit to the premises where a general practitioner, obstetrician or gynecologist provides services. This includes GP clinics and family planning clinics as well as acute care hospitals.

The new rules will ban any regular protests at Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise, where a lone protester stood at the Dublin Road entrance. Termination of pregnancy services began at Portlaoise Hospital in December 2023.

A statement from her ministry said the law ensures that people who access termination of pregnancy services can do so in “safety and dignity, without fear of influence or intimidation”.

It states that within safe access zones, certain behavior aimed at obstructing access or influencing decisions about these services now constitutes a criminal offence. He adds that anyone prosecuted for this offense and found guilty faces fines and/or imprisonment.

The department says the legislation contains the requirement for a “Garda warning” as a precursor to the commission of an offence. it says this will ensure that people who are at risk of committing an offense will be informed that they are engaging in prohibited conduct and that continuing that conduct will amount to an offense.

This mechanism ensures that people have the opportunity to regulate their behavior and avoid criminal sanction.

Minister Donnelly said this was an extremely important piece of legislation.

“At the heart of this project is the need to support and protect people who need to access termination of pregnancy services.

“Patients who require these services are now legally protected from unwanted influence, intimidation and pressure with a 100 meter zone from the relevant healthcare premises. At a time when they most need empathy and consideration, this law provides them with confidentiality and security.

“Getting to this point has been a long process with extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. I am very pleased that we have reached this milestone in giving people the protections they deserve when they need them most. I would like to thank everyone who helped bring the legislation to this point,” he said.

The Ministry says the legislation also provides specific exemptions for:

• Otherwise lawful protest within 100 meters of the Houses of the Oireachtas;
• Conduct that would otherwise be lawful and that occurs in a public place (building) of worship, and
• Anything done by a relevant healthcare provider or by any person employed by or acting on behalf of a relevant healthcare provider in the provision of healthcare services.

Penalties arising from contraventions of the Bill may be subject to summary conviction and include fines and/or imprisonment of up to six months. Sanctions were provided for on a progressive basis, with more severe sanctions potentially applicable in the event of repeat offenses.