This article is from page 7 of the 2014-06-24 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 7 JPG
A CLARE Pro-Life group say they will continue to host pickets outside Timmy Dooley’s constituency office in Ennis until the 2013 Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill is overturned.
The group held a hour long protest outside Deputy Dooley’s constituency office on Friday afternoon, to highlight the East Clare TD’s decision to vote for the 2013 bill.
The bill brought in a legal framework for the Supreme Court ruling of the X Case, more than two decades after the initial court ruling.
Fianna Fail leader, Michael Martin, allowed his Dáil deputies an ‘open vote’ on the bill with only five of his 19 TD’s, including Deputy Dooley, supporting the legislation.
The Clare Pro-Life group have also held protests outside the office of Pat Breen (FG) and Joe Carey (FG) but have not picketed the office of Michael McNamara (LAB).
“We come out here to protest because Timmy Dooley voted for the abortion bill [the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill].
“Most of Fianna Fail voted against it, but he unfortunately went along with Michael Martin and voted in favour of the bill,” said Maria Mahoney of Clare Pro-Life.
“We’ve had contact with the TD on a number of occasions. Before the bill went through we had a lengthy contact with him [Timmy Dooley] and he wasn’t to be budged.
“We are left with showing our disapproval with what he has done and protesting.
“The pro-life people who voted for him are not going to forget and we are not going to let him forget.
“It is a long way to the next election but people will support candidates based on the voting record in the Dáil.”
Deputy Dooley said that he wel- comed anyone who wished to express their views outside him office.
“People are fully entitled to exercise their views and they [the protesters] are welcome outside my office any time they like,” said Deputy Dooley.
“My vote is a matter of public record and anyone who would like to see it can.
“If some people have an issue with that [they way he voted] they are welcome to come and protest any time they like.”