In Ireland, the 'right to choose' only applies where death is on the hori­zon. It is refused, denied, with­held even at the cost of women’s lives. By Máiréad Enright

Yesterday, (14 Novem­ber 2012) the Irish Times reported on the case of Savita Halap­panavar, who died last month at Uni­ver­sity Col­lege Gal­way, Ire­land. It was, we are told, a case of “sud­den mater­nal death”. The Irish Times sets out the facts of the case as follows:

We may be seeing the opening of a gap between deserving and undeserving women in the campaign for abortion legislation. How might this gap be closed? By Mairéad Enright.

Last Friday, I heard Joe Jones of the Gypsy Council speak about his organisation’s history before Dale Farm. In passing – we weren’t talking about Ireland at all - he mentioned the names Grattan Puxon and Cherry Orchard and, not having any idea what he was referring to, I made a note to google both.

Give me your name and address and I'll rape you. [All laugh] - Unidentified Garda Sergeant