Tony Foy on Jul 8, 2011 6:45pm

I was at the rally with my family for the first time. A great day, well organised and planned. Twelve to eighteen pro abortion protesters, some of whom shouted comments at us that are not worthy of repeating anywhere. A neutral observer would have seen the truth in the behaviour of the pro lifers

Keep up the fight

Connie Gunning on Jul 8, 2011 6:52pm

I attended the Pro-Life Rally & was so impressed by the Colour, Music, Multiple Banners - together with two or three Buses, very artisticly decorated with Baloons, ribbons, etc. To my mind it was a resounding success & look forward to next time - God willimng

mairead scannell on Jul 8, 2011 6:53pm

I also heard mr Shatter,s comment and knew by his words where his allegiances lay.We must be ever allert with such men in power.

Deirdre on Jul 8, 2011 7:37pm

Alan Shatter, Kathleen Lynch Labour, Sinead Ahern want abortion on demand. The presenter on 4FM went into shock a week ago on his programme at 9.30pm 1/7/11 and repeated at least 5 times "DO YOU (Sinead Ahern, Choice Ireland) REALLY WANT ABORTION UP TO 9 MONTHS" We need to e-mail Fine Gael and Enda Kenny.

Noreen FitzGerald on Jul 8, 2011 7:39pm

Are Fine Gael aware they were voted into power by the Catholic and pro life citizens of Ireland? Mr Shatter has made the grave mistake of underestimating his audience. I too met with piffy pro choice gang as we marched through Dublin and witnessed their aggression. An impotent group who have been elevated in numbers and effect by a chicken livered politician and biased incompetent journalism in RTE.

T on Jul 8, 2011 7:40pm

It was creepy walking by a bunch of people repeating none arguments like mantras all dressed in black and beating drums. You could feel a dark presence that was there and I don't mean the pro-abortionists but rather the evil spirits acting on them.

Sean Collins on Jul 8, 2011 8:51pm

I came across a blog with a comment by a pro-choice individual, who asserted that 8 thousand was a poor turn out for such a rally, and asked where were the remaining 4.5 million Irish people. But as I asked him, "remind me how many people turned out for the counter demonstration", and that he could use toes, when he ran out of fingers.

James & Anne on Jul 8, 2011 10:23pm

We need to be eternally vigilant, despite Enda Kenny pre-election assurances. Remember, TDs like Shatter and Michael Noonan have taken pro-abortion stances in the past!

Miriam lynch on Jul 9, 2011 1:15am

The right to life is a fundamental human right and this right is upheld yet again.Many people are now so removed from Christ that they no longer can separate good from evil. Politicians will pay the price for speaking out both sides of their mouths at the same time.

Peter O Brien on Jul 9, 2011 10:07am

1) The RALLY for LIFE was a PEACEFUL, HAPPY, UPLIFTING, family event. The 8,000 or so participants carried a serious message from for Enda Kenny to keep his pre-election pro-life promise to protect our children and mothers from the VIOLENCE of abortion.

2) A small band of 'pro-choice' protesters with nothing to celebrate (you can't celebrate DEATH) showed their true colours by their AGGRESSION. They had to taunt and jeer and try to drown out those happy sounds and mar a family day out with their drums and bodhrans.

I was shouted at, jostled, threathened and pushed by some of these 'pro-choice' protesters who denied me the 'choice' to freely cross O Connell Street to join the parade, yet this is perfectly consistent with the way they abuse the term 'CHOICE' and use it as a euphemism for the VIOLENCE that is abortion.

3) EIGHT thousand people (Garda estimate) attended the Rally for Life yet RTE reported TWO thousand on the 6.01 News.
The miniscule band of disgruntled 'pro-'choice' protesters numbered barely 100 yet RTE reported 300. Why this reluctance to report the FACTS?

It would have been more honest for RTE to have joined the 'pro-choice' protest.

john j on Jul 9, 2011 11:42am

vote against anyone who supports abortion in any way in upcoming Presidential and Local elections. Expose the pro aborts, and don't buy papers or ads, of their fellow travellers in the media and in academic life.

Marion Murphy on Jul 9, 2011 5:07pm

It comes as absolutely no surprise that Alan Shatter equated our massive rally with a small grouping of anit-lifers. Going back to '92 when I was a teenager Alan Shatters was behind the then 'X' case.

Riain Ó Ruairc on Jul 9, 2011 7:52pm

Hilarious. This guy is delusional. Anyone who would imply what he did is clearly not competent to serve in public office.

Martin McQuade on Jul 10, 2011 10:47am

I've never attended a rally of any sort but I did want to be part of the Rally for Life on the 2nd of July. Unfortunately I had family commitments that prevented me from being there. From everything I've heard I believe it was a great day and the message for life was expressed with dignity and firmness. Shatter and Bacik with her creeping fundamentalism comments aside the rally was an example of grace in action. The likes of Shatter are the real fundamentalists, they are fundamentally opposed not only to life but they are opposed to allowing the pro-life message of those who disagree with them to be heard or acknowledged. They'd rather we just went away.

As for the numbers, well you guys are the salt of the earth, and it doesn't take a lot of salt to flavour a dish. All the same, next time I will be there and make it 8001. Every person there made a difference

Brid on Jul 10, 2011 11:14am

Congratulations to the Life Institute on the wonderful rally which I attended. I have been thinking ever since that perhaps there is room in the Irish pro-life spectrum for a secular pro-life organization for people who are pro-life and left-wing and not religious. In the US there's a wide variety of pro-life organizations representing a huge range of opinion....Just a thought.

Elia on Jul 10, 2011 1:54pm

I was at the rally with my family. I walked by the 20 or 30 pro-death extremists. I feel pity for most of them. They are fighting on the evil side but most of them are too stupid to understand it.
Is people like Shatter i am worried about. They know and freely decided what side is worth fighting for. Pro lifers in Fine Gael should speak up

Mary Stewart on Jul 10, 2011 6:01pm

Ardeskin,
Donegal Town

Anonymous on Jul 10, 2011 6:08pm

Would someone please at least let Mr. Shatter have a copy of the Irish Times which gives the attendance at the Rally as 5,000 and the pro-abortionists as 200? Surely he has to accept the paper of note, if not the official Garda figures?

Anonymous on Jul 10, 2011 6:08pm

Would someone please at least let Mr. Shatter have a copy of the Irish Times which gives the attendance at the Rally as 5,000 and the pro-abortionists as 200? Surely he has to accept the paper of note, if not the official Garda figures?

Mary Stewart on Jul 10, 2011 6:11pm

Will someone please send Mr. Shatter even a copy of the Irish Times which, while it only gives the attendance as 5,000 compared to 200 pro-abortionists, at least demolishes his argument regarding notice to be taken of both groups.

None so blind as those who will not see.

amanda curran on Jul 10, 2011 6:49pm

The thing I love about the prolifers and I myself included is the peace in which they get their message across, there is no jostling or insults and people are given the respect they deserve for their opinions. I think the rally was a great success, the government is again letting us down, Mr. Shatter has to realise that people will not vote for anyone that is for abortion, traditionally we are a prolife country and I hope that we continue to be and as for the 100 people that were for abortion at the rally, how can you get your point across or expect anyone to take you seriously when your message is abuse and insults, that speaks for itself!

Maria on Jul 10, 2011 7:44pm

The overriding feeling from the pro aborts was one of despair.I believe they know that they have lost before they have started. Looking at youtube clips of the counter demo one of the things that disturbs them most is the number of children on the rally. They know that they are the future of the pro life movement in Ireland and the victory lies in them. They are literally contracepting and aborting themselves out of existence. They realise this they know that they are handing victory to the pro life movement but wont change their ways. Reason enough for despair indeed!

Gemma Grant on Jul 11, 2011 10:34am

It was a fantastic day out. I would urge the priests to speak out from the pulpit when they know TD's may be in Chapel. TD's need to be reminded that they can't stop be Catholics when they take office. They need to find a back bone and say no to the dechristianising elements. creeping into every facet of Irish life.

Cathal Loftus on Jul 11, 2011 2:38pm

Racist religions are all stuck in the past. They use old calenders out of synch with the seasons and science which has never been updated. Jews think a child is not "ensouled" until it is 12 weeks in the womb; accordingly, abortion during this trimester is perfectly okay in their profoundly unscientific mentality. We must bear that in mind in the case of Mr Shatter; he is quite sound in many other areas - as is Judaism. There's just that "Blind Spot".

Sean Collins on Jul 11, 2011 5:23pm

We definitely need to keep those e-mails and letters flowing, even to Fianna Fail, who are currently having a think-in today - obviously debating future party strategy. It would be worthwhile sending them a sharp reminder of their responsibilities. michealmartintd@eircom.net

Martin on Jul 12, 2011 4:53am

You guys ought to know that there is one way to make your voice heard - throw away your television and stop paying RTE's licence fee! Sure you can get all the free TV you want on the internet!

Liam Ryan on Jul 12, 2011 11:35am

Well done to both the organisers and the participants. Great day. Dignified in the face of provocation. Yes! "Every person counts"! Remember that, Alan?

marielynch14@hotmail.com on Jul 12, 2011 9:18pm

Michael Fairley on Jul 13, 2011 11:48pm

I took part in the march for life and was dismayed at the hate filled faces of the so called Pro choice small group. The fact that the media and politicians have refused to admit that there were 7000 to 8000 marching in an attempt to prevent legalising abortion means we must remain on guard against the advocates of death.

Damien Aylward on Jul 14, 2011 12:25pm

With our Almighty God the Father backing us how can we fail; look around you and bear witness to His work of coquering evil in our world. Amen.

Gemma Grant on Jul 15, 2011 1:35pm

I would like to comment on Brid’s idea (10th July) of secularising the pro-life movement to include communist – (left-wing), and non-religious ideology. Surely Brid, you noticed the left-wing and non-religious who heckled and spat at the pro-life marchers. I hope I am not wrong, but I believe that Youth Defence and Precious Life are religious organisations and hopefully will continue to be so. Many marchers carried religious icons and many rosary beads were to be seen. To allow the left-wing and non-religious into our organisations could mean the end of them. This secular movement will eventually want to remove all things religious, so they can feel included. It’s already happening in the school sector. How better to destroy an organisation than from within. Hopefully Brid, your idea will stay with yourself – no offence.

leo kennedy on Jul 16, 2011 12:18am

Shatter was born in Dublin to a Jewish family. He was educated at The High School, Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin. He has always lived in Dublin — he grew up in Rathgar and Rathfarnham and lives now in Ballinteer with his wife Carol and two children. He supports Tottenham Hotspur Football Club,[2] and is the only Jewish member of Dáil Éireann.
[edit] Political career

He was first elected to the Dáil at the 1981 general election, and was re-elected at each subsequent election until he lost his seat at the 2002 general election. He was re-elected at the 2007 general election.[3] Shatter was a member of Dublin County Council from 1991 to 1999 for the Rathfarnham area.

Having a legal background, Shatter has proposed much legislation during his time as a TD. While in opposition, he published more Private member's bills than any other TD had done previously. His bills were successful in making changes in areas such as health, sport and justice, with the government often amending bills that he brought forward and adopting them as their own. Even prior to becoming a member of the Oireachtas, Shatter satirised some of the measures inherent within a 1979 Family Planning bill in the form of his nationally published booklet, "Family Planning - Irish Style".

During the 1980s Shatter successfully lobbied for the establishment of an Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs. He was a member of the Committee from its foundation in 1992, apart from a brief period in 1993 to 1994, and its Chairman from December 1996 to June 1997.

During a period in 1993 to 1994 he was removed by party leader John Bruton as a disciplinary measure for breaking the party whip. This was occasioned by his voting in the Dáil in favour of a Bill to ban live hare coursing. Shatter was president of the Irish Council against Blood Sports for a time.

During his time in the Dáil, he has been a Fine Gael Front Bench spokesperson on Law Reform (1982, 1987–88); the Environment (1989–91); Labour (1991); Justice (1992–93); Equality and Law Reform (1993–94); Health and Children (1997–2000); Justice, Law Reform and Defence (2000–02); Children (2007–10); and Justice and Law Reform (2010–11).

During his time out of politics after losing his seat at the 2002 general election, he practised as a solicitor and was a partner of the firm Gallagher Shatter. Among his professional affiliations, he is a Fellow of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is currently chairman of the ATIC, an organisation campaigning for the reform of inheritance tax laws in the Republic of Ireland.

During the 2009 Gaza War, Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó'Snodaigh claimed that Shatter and the Israeli ambassador to Ireland had exposed the Oireachtas committee on Foreign Affairs to "propaganda, twisted logic and half truths". Ó'Snodaigh also said that Joseph Goebbels, the Nazi propaganda minister, would have been proud of it.[4] In February 2009, during a sitting of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs concerning the Gaza conflict, Shatter clashed verbally with Professor Ilan Pappé, Professor of History at the University of Exeter, accusing Pappé of biased scholarship and historical inaccuracies.[5]

On 9 March 2011, he was appointed as Minister for Justice and Equality and also as Minister for Defence in Enda Kenny's cabinet.

In July 2011 after the publication of the Cloyne report Shatter put forward plans to force priests to disclose information on child sexual abuse obtained in the confessional. The measure, announced in response to the findings of a report on the handling of child abuse complaints in the diocese of Cloyne, is likely to encounter significant resistance within the church. Under the plans put forward by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter, priests could be jailed for up to five years for failing to disclose information on serious offences against a child even if this was obtained in Confession.Asked for his reaction to the criticisms, the Vatican’s senior spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi declined to comment, saying only: “I have nothing to say until such time as there is a formal Vatican response.” Church spokesmen said yesterday they wanted to see the text of Mr Shatter’s Bill before making a definitive comment. However, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Armagh Dr Gerard Clifford said the bond of secrecy attached to Confession had to be respected. A priest would “recommend” anyone admitting to a serious crime in Confession to go to the civil authorities. A spokesman for the Catholic bishops said the “seal of Confession places an onerous responsibility on the confessor/priest, and a breach of it would be a serious offence to the rights of penitents”. He pointed approvingly to remarks made yesterday by Fr PJ Madden of the Association of Catholic Priests, who said the seal of the Confession was above the law of the land.[6] Shatter is awaiting the results of two audits of church compliance with child protection procedures, one being carried out by the HSE, the other by the church’s National Board for Safeguarding Children. The bishops’ spokesman said they would co-operate fully with the civil authorities. The Cloyne report is to be considered by the bishops at their next meeting in September.

Jim on Jul 20, 2011 12:57am

I would like to defend the comments that Brid made as regards a secular pro-life movement. Gemma must have misread what she said, or else intentionally did so. She never said that pro-life groups such as Youth Defence or Precious life should throw away their religious component. I for one would welcome a pro-life secular movement because our message could be expressed through scientific and secular logic rather then religious reasons which would turn off people especially of the younger generation who are less religious from becoming active in the pro-life cause. I was at the March and people have the right to express there views on abortion whether they are based on religion or not (although personally i wasn't taken with the religious memorabilia, since i turned up to the march to defend life not partake in a religious procession.)

Gemma Grant on Jul 21, 2011 12:59pm

Hello Jim, in a way you are strengthening the points I am trying to make. You feel uncomfortable walking with religious people. You tend to see the pro-life marches as religious processions. How long before those of a similar frame of mind will push to have these religious symbols removed so the secular camp can feel at easy marching with pro-life? You also make a comment on secular logic and scientific research. Don’t you realise that religious people have also based the horrors of abortion on scientific research and not solely based on religious reasons? You don’t need to be secular to be scientific or logical. On the point of young people not being religious - could this be that they are embarrassed because it’s no longer cool to be religious? If more young people see their peers proud and happy with their religion, then this can often encourage rather than deter. They can still be cool and be religious. If we remove all things religious, then the secular camp takes over. I for one would not feel happy marching alongside those who consider my religion an embarrassment. I am glad you took part in the march Jim and please continue to do so. Don’t be deterred by religious people, most of us are quite harmless. The scary ones were the secular pro-abortionists who spat and jeered at us. The last thing we want is to fragment the pro-life movement. The best way of doing this is to divide and conquer. Then who wins - certainly not the unborn child?

Donna O'Connor on Aug 1, 2011 1:57pm

I am presently living in Ottawa, Canada, a country that allows abortion on demand, up to 9 months. No country that kills it's beautiful, innocent citizens in this way can ever be at peace. The horriffic part of it is the tax-payers are forced to pay for the killing of hundreds of thousands of babies who God meant to be the future generations of Canada!
Donna O'Connor