A Preview of Ireland's Vote on Repealing the 8th Amendment - ENN 2018-05-21
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WATCH: How do you feel about a referendum being held on the Eighth Amendment?
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TheJournal.ie: Renua and the 8th Amendment
The Eighth Amendment of the Constitution Act 1983 amended the Constitution of Ireland by inserting a subsection recognising the equal right to life of the pregnant woman and the unborn. Abortion had been subject to criminal penalty in Ireland since 1861; the amendment ensured that legislation or judicial interpretation would be restricted to allowing abortion in circumstances where the life of a pregnant woman was at risk. It was approved by referendum on 7 September 1983 and signed into law on 7 October 1983.