Amnesty award for Cork writer and activist Tara Flynn

CORK activist Tara Flynn has been given an award by Amnesty International in recognition of the role she played in the campaign to repeal the eighth amendment of the constitution.

The Kinsale native shared the Seán McBride Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Rights 2018 with TFMR (Termination For Medical Reasons) Ireland, a group made up of parents who received a diagnosis of a fatal or severe foetal anomaly during pregnancy.

The group also campaigned in favour of repeal.

Ms Flynn, an actor, writer and comedian, dedicated the award to ‘everyone who shared a story they shouldn’t have had to and helped [repeal the eighth].’

“I'm still reeling from the shock of receiving this award, I'm so grateful,” she said. ”It's an extra honour that it comes from Amnesty: I went public with my story with them in 2015 and they have been with me every step of the way since.

“And to receive it alongside the absolute heroes of TFMR is humbling.

"I'm very aware that Repeal wasn't won because of individual contributions; people were already having those private conversations, many of which were difficult, and reliving a tough time in their lives, which takes a serious toll. So I was never on my own, we were all in it together.”

The awards were presented as part of Amnesty International Ireland’s Annual Conference, which took place in Dublin over the weekend.

Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of Amnesty International, was the keynote speaker and paid tribute to the award-winning campaigners.

“I want to say thank you, from Amnesty’s around the world, on behalf of the entire movement, to the women who led this campaign to success,” he said. “Keep the struggle going forward.”

On May 25, following months of campaigning by advocates of yes and no votes, the Irish electorate voted by 66.4% to 33.6% to remove the eighth amendment.

The amendment, inserted in 1983, prevented abortion in Ireland almost all circumstances.