Where next for newly energised Mná na hÉireann?

One of the slogans adorning pro-repeal t shirts before the referendum was ‘In Awe of Mná’, and following the astonishing result of Friday’s referendum on the 8th amendment, it’s clear that slogan was prescient. Yes campaigners at the count in Cork city. Photo: Fiona Corcoran We are all in awe of mná. Politicians, particularly, [...]

Celebrating women #IWD2016

My enthusiasm for women and feminism is lifted every year by the sense of solidarity on two dates - Women's Christmas, and International Women's Day. This year I spent Women's Christmas speaking with Cork Simon's Colette O'Brien and Karen Songhurst at the Cork Simon Women's Christmas Lunch. And in time-honoured tradition my mother and sister-in-law [...]

No Mater what…

This piece is from last week's Cork Independent and also appeared in the Herald - my thoughts on Fr Kevin Doran's 'ethos' comments in relation to the Mater and whether it will obey the provisions of the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Act. http://corkindependent.com/20130808/news/no-mater-what-S70357.html

2013-08-12T11:38:12+00:00 August 12th, 2013|Categories: Opinion|Tags: , , , , , , , |

Making their voices heard – depression in pregnancy

The debate about the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill has been long, arduous, and bitter, but it seems set to pass through the Oireachtas before the summer recess. Part 2 (9) of the Bill, which covers cases in which the woman’s life is at risk due to suicide, has been the most controversial aspect, but [...]

Peter Mathews might be 'pro-life' but that doesn't mean he values yours

TV3 News (Photo credit: Wikipedia) I missed Vincent Browne last night and now I'm really, really happy about that. For the last three hours, I have been sitting here, trying to work, with my blood boiling, after reading his views on life and death as discussed on TV3 last night. Thanks to the good [...]

2013-04-30T15:25:44+00:00 April 30th, 2013|Categories: Opinion|Tags: , , , , |

Make that empathy work

It’s been a strange week. I read an article in the Irish Times yesterday in which the journalist Michael Harding professed his shame and horror at being Irish, after the awful news broke about Savita Halappanavar. I think we all felt a little bit of that last week. To see him criticised on social media as [...]

2012-11-22T16:08:24+00:00 November 22nd, 2012|Categories: Opinion|Tags: , , , , , , , , |