Cork votes to repeal the 8th

Sat, 26 May, 2018 - 11:46

David Linnane and Gráinne McGuinness

Cork constituencies have voted resoundingly to repeal the eighth amendment.

Cork South Central voted 68.8% to 31.2% with a turnout of 66.7%.

Cork North Central voted 64% to 36% with a turnout of 62.4%.

Cork East voted 64.1% to 35.9% with a turnout of 63.8%.

Cork North West voted 60.1% to 39.9% with a turnout of 65.9%.

Cork South West voted 64.5% to 35.5% with a turnout of 67.3%.

Celebrations after the official announcement of the count, Kathy Darcy, Cork Togetherfor Yes. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

While the vote was overwhelmingly in favour of yes across the five constituencies, there were some differences.

Areas like Carrigaline and Passage West had some of the highest Yes votes. The Yes vote was lower in more working class and older areas around the northside and areas like Glasheen.

All five Cork constituencies recorded a larger Yes vote than they did in the 2015 Marriage Equality referendum.

Kate O'Connell, Fermoy and Cormac Desmond, Turners Cross at the Abortion referendum count at Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Kathy D'Arcy, chair of Cork Together for Yes said: "It's a day for remembering the harm that has been done over the last 35 years. It should never have taken so long to get here. But we worked together, and we worked hard. It's a historic day for Ireland and a historic day for Cork."

Love Both supporters at the Count centre. Pic: Jim Coughlan.

Celebrations after the official announcement of the count in City Hall Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan."Everyone who voted knew and was aware of the legislation. The people have spoken, knowing what the legislation was. It's incredibly clear that people are asking for legislation."

Celebrations after the official announcement of the count. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

"I felt that people were coming around. So many people - in the last week even - have come on the journey to Yes, more and more with each day that passed."

"We thought it would be close - this is a dream come true. Nobody thought it would have been this resounding."

Fine Gael TDs David Staunton and Jim Daly at the Abortion referendum count at Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig Picture: Eddie O'Hare

Maeve O'Hanlon of the Love Both campaign said that two things were emerging on the campaign - people thought the state had not done enough to support women and babies, but people did not want abortion on demand.

"I don't believe this is a vote for abortion on demand. I believe a lot of people voted for this believeing it will be restrictive.

Ferdia De Barra Sweeney, Maire De Barra, from Farran with Kathy Darcy, Chairperson Cork Together for Yes, celebrate the result. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Irish people have always voted compassionately and always will. I think they were misled to believe that abortion is a compassionate response to a crisis.