In advance of tomorrow's vote on whether Ireland will repeal the 8th Amendment, there has been no shortage of women sharing their incredibly moving stories about traveling to the UK for the necessary terminations they are legally denied in Ireland. However, with the moratorium for the main national broadcasters set to kick in today from 2pm, last night's final prime-time television debate on TV3's The Pat Kenny show proffered up perhaps one of the most hard-hitting of these stories. One audience memeber, Saoirse, shared her experience of traveling for an abortion with the audience and detailed why it was imperative for all Irish women that the majority of the Irish electorate vote 'Yes' on Friday.
Visibly emotional, Saoirse revealed that after she underwent a termination she was left to walk around Birmingham for six hours holding a hot-water bottle to her stomach because she could not receive basic health care in Ireland, her home.
I think Saoirse and the shocked gasps at Ronan Mullen's response to her story is a standout moment of this campaign #pkshow pic.twitter.com/ZRuohwIeOl
— Naomi O'Leary (@NaomiOhReally) May 24, 2018
Hundreds of famous faces and Twitter users shared their support and praise for Saoirse for being so brave and honest sharing her story:
The courage on this woman is humbling. The utter lack of empathy and base level human kindness from Ronan Mullen will gravely damage the No side in the eyes of the undecided. This is the voice of oppressive 50s Ireland. https://t.co/cwAz0EZP6Y
— Rubber Bandits (@Rubberbandits) May 24, 2018
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Saoirse, I applaud you for telling your story ❤️ You’re a brave woman and I commend you for your honesty ✊? “Walking around Birmingham for 6 hours with a hot water bottle against me, ALONE, walking around in a country and a city that I don’t know” #Repealthe8th #Pkshow pic.twitter.com/FxsF701isB
— Erica Fleming - Vótáil Tá (@EricaHome1) May 23, 2018
I was voting yes for Savita, now I'm voting yes for Saoirse #PKshow
— S.Cahill ? (@S_MelaughCahill) May 23, 2018
Senator Ronan Mullen's reaction to Saoirse, who was arguing for a No vote, alongisde Iona Institute member Maria Steen, caused serious debate online with many calling for the Senator to not be re-elected to the Seanad.
There are thousands of us signing up to register to vote you out of the Seanad now. You will NEVER EVER represent NUI again. You are an absolute disgrace. #votehimout
— aceml (@acecml) May 24, 2018
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Viewers and voters took particular offense to Mullen's comments about mental health. People strongly reacted to the line "mental health has no evidence base":
How many times does it have to said to the No side?
Mental health is real health
Mental health is real health
Mental health is real health
Mental health is real health
Mental health is real health
Mental health is real health
Mental health is real health#tonighttv3— Aidan Comerford (@MrAComerford) May 23, 2018
Disgusted. Straight after a phenomenal & moving show on darkness into light, it's followed by the vile Ronan Mullen on this debate stating that "mental health has no evidence base" We cannot let this slide. We cannot let narrow minded ignorance prevail #together4Yes #PKShow
— Debbie Roche (@MeGobnait) May 23, 2018
Just now seeing that Ronan Mullen said on #PKshow (after Pieta doc) that mental health "has no evidence base." What a disgusting way to trivialise the experience of every family who has fought so hard to support someone they love or have lost them to suicide. Grade A clown.
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) May 24, 2018
