Irish abortion referendum: yes wins with 66.4% – as it happened

More results, thick and fast. And once-conservative Roscommon confirmed as yes:

• Limerick City 66.87% yes, 33.13%
• Louth 66.55% yes, 33.45% no
• Meath East 69.21% yes, 30.79% no
• Kildare North 73.56% yes, 26.44% no
• Dublin North-West 73.08% yes, 26.92% no
• Roscommon-Galway 57.21% yes, 42.79% no

Ireland’s children’s minister, Katherine Zappone, has stressed to Sinéad Baker the need to enact legislation the country’s new abortion legislation as soon as possible:

The minister for health has promised to publish the bill before the summer and it would be our intention to ensure that we bring that forward before the end of this year. Until that happens women still need to travel or to take an abortion pill from online delivery that’s illegal or unsafe until we get the better law in place.

Zappone also thanked the women who had shared their stories of how they were affected by the eighth amendment:

It’s because of their willingness to tell their stories that they were able to change the hearts and the minds of the citizens but also many of the politicians too.

Another result: Offaly 58.05% yes, 41.95% no.

Calls are mounting for the British government to take steps to reform the strict abortion regime in Northern Ireland following the Republic’s historic decision.

Labour MP Stella Creasy:

This weekend 2.5 million Irish women won the basic human right to make choices themselves about their own bodies - those who fought this victory did so because these rights are at the heart of equality. Yet as we celebrate, we cannot rest knowing a million women in Northern Ireland do not have the same choice and that the UN has accused the U.K. government of cruel and inhuman treatment of their own citizens as a result. We cannot let Northern Irish women be left behind.

Cara Sanquest form the London-Irish Abortion Rights Campaign:

The result today shows that the people of Ireland want to provide care and compassion at home. This was a grassroots campaign, with women’s voices at the centre. Women in Northern Ireland, who do not have access to abortion in their own country, are at the forefront of our minds today. Eleven women from the island of Ireland boarded planes this morning to access abortion services abroad. We’re looking forward to a swift passing of the legislation, and that the momentum from this result will carry on with our campaign to decriminalise abortion in Northern Ireland.

Grainne Teggart, Northern Ireland campaigns manager for Amnesty International:

The referendum result is a momentous win for women’s rights. This marks the beginning of a new Ireland - one that really does trust and value its women. The UK Government can no longer turn a blind eye and deny us equality, they must urgently legislate for reform which must include decriminalisation of abortion. We cannot be left behind in a corner of the UK and on the island of Ireland as second-class citizens.

It’s becoming a procession:

• Wexford has voted 68.40% for yes and 31.60% for no.
  
• Limerick County 58.08% yes, 41.92% no
• Tipperary 59.15% yes, 40.85% no
  
• Kildare South 70.66% yes, 29.34% no
• Clare 64.28% yes, 35.72% no

26 May 201809.58 EDT

Henry McDonald

The president of March for Life, the US anti-abortion rally that backed the SaveThe8th campaign, has reacted with dismay to the projected result. The group’s president, Jeanne Mancini, said:

We are deeply saddened to learn that many Irish people voted against love and life by repealing the 8^thamendment. Americans know from experience that there will be many grave and irreversible consequences to this decision, including the loss of precious lives.

A study released this week shows that legalising abortion greatly increases the number of children whose lives are terminated in the womb. Though they are the first, unborn children are not the only victims; abortion harms mothers too.

Life is the empowering decision. We grieve for the great loss this beautiful country will endure and we pray that they find a way to reverse this unfortunate decision.

Another result is in: Laois 61.35% yes, 38.65% no

They’re having a ball down at Dublin Castle, too:

Sinéad Baker is with the Together for Yes campaign who have gathered yes campaigners in a Dublin hotel to watch the results come in.

A diverse crowd of hundreds of people have gathered. Local organisers from all parts of the country are here with their teams alongside the politicians and students who have been key to the campaign.

Results coming in are met with huge cheers and some stunned disbelief. Listen to the delight as Carlow-Kilkenny votes 63.5% yes:

And another. With seven constituencies declared, the vote now stands at 68.7% in favour of repeal overall.

• Waterford 69.43% yes, 30.57% no