ABORTION IS A NASTY BUSINESS.

The result of the Irish referendum on the vexed subject of abortion has been hailed as a great moment though it is, in reality, another step on the march down the road to a universal throw away world.

Abortion is a nasty business, involving the destruction and disposal of a living foetus. It can be painful, both physically and mentally, for the woman concerned and can have long term health implications for her. Given that contraceptive devices and medicaments are available almost every where and that women can obtain these free from their GP and even directly over the counter in many cases, there should be little demand for and yet there is.

In cases of incest or rape, or when to continue a pregnancy might be dangerous to the health of the mother, abortion may well be the right answer; abortion may also be justified when the foetus can be shown to have severe abnormalities, whether physical or genetic. However, I can see no justification for abortion as little more than a means of contraception.

If young men and women cannot control their sexual urges or, at least, be bothered to take advantage of any of the freely available contraceptive devices and medications, then the outcome should be on their own heads. The state pays out considerable sums to make contraceptives available free of charge to women and yet it also pays for these same women to undergo 'abortion on demand' when they are too carefree to be bothered with taking advantage of them. It simply makes no sense.

In Ireland, matters have been driven by adherence to religious strictures and their system has probably been in need of change, although the 'abortion on demand' that will now be available can never be justified. People must surely realise that actions have consequences, that they are responsible for the outcomes of their own actions and must live with those outcomes. Sadly, as long as the 'nanny state' continues to provide safety nets such as freely available abortion, this will not happen and our young people will never grow into responsible adults.