Thousands of pro-lifers gathered in Dublin, Ireland, on May 5 for the 2025 March for Life as abortion numbers continue to rise in the once pro-life nation. The focus of the March was “Ireland’s spiraling abortion numbers.”
The event, which included a speech from Eilís Mulroy of the Pro Life Campaign, called on the government to take “immediate steps” to end abortion.
5.5.2025 – The annual March for Life organised by the Pro Life Campaign took place in Dublin on Bank Holiday Monday starting at University Church St Stephen’s Green and making it’s way to Leinster House where speeches were heard by a large crowd of supporters. Pic shows some of the crowd in Molesworth St on Monday at the annual March For Life. Pic John Mc Elroy. NO FEE.
“At the heart of public life in Ireland today, there is a disconnect, a denialism, an indifference and a total lack of accountability that has to be confronted and broken,” said Mulroy. “The massive increase in abortions taking place and the refusal of the Government to engage with any viewpoint other than the most radical elements of the pro-abortion movement is proof of the totally skewed discussion that’s taking place. When I think of the heartbreak and pain that so many women I know have experienced after abortion, and the lives of so many babies that have been lost, it gives me tremendous energy, drive and determination to keep going. And I know everyone gathered here today feels the same way.”
Also speaking at the March was Senator Sarah O’Reilly, who said, “We must move beyond the present situation where those in power and sadly, many in the media, are acting like they’re living in an alternative society, pretending that there’s no downside to the new abortion law. Pretending that the abortion numbers are not skyrocketing.”
She noted that a hospital in her local constituency has become the last of Ireland’s 19 maternity hospitals to begin committing abortions. “In addition to the terrible loss of life from the abortions that will take place, there are not sufficient freedom of conscience protections in place for doctors and other health care workers,” she said.
Ruth O’Sullivan, whose story of her own abortion went viral, also spoke at the March.
Abortion was legalized in Ireland in 2018 and is allowed without limit up to 12 weeks with a three-day waiting period. After 12 weeks, abortion is allowed in cases of a presumed fatal fetal diagnosis and when the mother’s health is at risk (although induced abortion — the direct and intentional killing of a preborn child — is not medically necessary).
In 2017, there were a reported 15 abortions committed in Ireland. In 2019, the year after abortion was legalized, there were 6,666 abortions. By 2022, it had climbed to 8,500. According to the Health Service Executive, at least 17,820 abortions were carried out between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022.
