Pro-lifers arrested in Northern Ireland for violating new anti-free speech buffer zone

Less than a week after the passage of an anti-free speech bill, two pro-lifers have been arrested for standing outside Causeway Hospital near Coleraine, County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. On Tuesday, October 3, 2023, the pair were confronted and arrested for violating a law that went into effect the Friday prior — the “Safe Access to Termination of Pregnancy Services” law, which created a strict buffer zone around several public clinics and hospitals that provide abortions in Northern Ireland. 

According to local police, the pair were informed at length that they were in violation of the law but respectfully refused to leave. No violence was reported and it is unclear if access was actually blocked to or from the hospital.

The “safe access zones” created by the new law are large, and spread up to 820 feet from the entrance and exit of some buildings.  Called “censorship zones” by some opponents, they prohibit prayer and counseling for pregnant women. Signs announcing the zones were expected to be put in place. It is unclear if signs were present at the location of the arrest.

Members of the Legislative Assembly of Northern Ireland who debated and eventually passed the anti-free-speech law were deceived by the reporting agency responsible for tracking demonstrations at abortion facilities. The Belfast Health Trust admitted that they inflated the number of pro-life demonstrations over a six-month period by almost 400% from 11 to 41.

Despite this deception, the anti-free speech bill passed and took effect this year.

If prosecuted and found guilty, the zone violators face stiff fines and punishment. Indicative of a growing intolerance of pro-lifers, similar legislation has been passed in England and Wales. In another case that made headlines around the world, a woman persecuted for praying outside of an abortion clinic in West Midland, UK, has had all charges dropped and an apology issued by local police.