Case Dropped Against Mother Who Bought Abortion Pills Online

Belfast's Crown Court has today formally dropped charges against a Northern Irish mother who bought her then 15-year-old daughter abortion pills online.

The move follows the landmark reform of local abortion laws at midnight on Monday 21 October, when 19th Century criminalisation legislation lost its effect over the region.

The Court formally discharged the mother, who until yesterday was facing a criminal trial and potentially up to five years in prison.

Reacting to her charges being dropped, the woman - who has remained anonymous throughout the process to protect her daughter's identity - said she can finally concentrate on her role as a parent again.

"My emotions are all over the place. I find it hard to put into words how I am feeling.

"For the first time in six years I can go back to being the mother I was without the weight of this hanging over me every minute of every day.

"I'm so thankful that the change in the law will allow other women and girls to deal with matters like this privately in their own family circle.

"I can finally move on with my life."

The Northern Ireland (executive formation) Bill took effect on Tuesday 22 October, decriminalising abortion in Northern Ireland and activating a moratorium on criminal prosecutions under the former abortion law.

Amnesty International acted as an intervenor in the judicial review that challenged the decision to prosecute the mother.

Grainne Teggart, Amnesty International's Northern Ireland campaign manager, said the decision marks a new phase for Northern Ireland.

"Today is a huge relief," Ms Teggart commented. "For six years this mother has been treated as a criminal just for helping her daughter access abortion pills that are available on the NHS in every other part of the UK.

"Now she can finally put the trauma of this ordeal behind her.

"Thankfully, our new abortion law means that no other women will have to be hauled through the courts and face criminal prosecution. This is the beginning of a more caring and compassionate Northern Ireland."

Jemma Conlon, the mother's lawyer, added: "Today is a day of immense relief for my client who now finds herself free from the burden of this prosecution that has been in her life for six years. It is a day that she will forever remember and a day that allows her to move on with her life privately."



(JG/CM)