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Pro-choice campaigners have hailed the Yes vote as a resounding roar for “dignity and decency”.<\/p>\nPro-choice campaigners have hailed the Yes vote as a resounding roar for “dignity and decency”.<\/p>\n
Politicians and supporters of repealing the 8th Amendment said it was a huge step forward.<\/p>\n
They made the comments as final tallies at count centers across Ireland indicate almost 70% of the electorate have voted to liberalize the abortion laws.<\/p>\n
Together for Yes co-director Orla O’Connor said the exit poll results showed “a resounding roar from the Irish people” for repealing the Eighth Amendment.<\/p>\n
“Our campaign and we will be forever indebted to those women and couples whose own bravery and dignity have moved hearts and changed minds – and given the scale of the victory, changed the country,” Ms O’Connor said.<\/p>\n
Co-director Ailbhe Smyth said: “This will be a moment of profound change in Ireland’s social history, a moment when the nation collectively stood up for women and for their healthcare, and voted for constitutional change.<\/p>\n
“Together For Yes always knew that Ireland was ready for this change, because of the evidence and facts showing the harm and the pain of the Eighth Amendment.”<\/p>\n
Amnesty Ireland executive director Colm O’Gorman said the outcome would be a huge milestone for women’s rights.<\/p>\n
Mr O’Gorman said, by voting resoundingly to end the constitutional ban on abortion, Ireland was sending a powerful message to women and girls in Ireland and across the globe.<\/p>\n
“This is such an important vote for women’s dignity and bodily autonomy,” Mr O’Gorman said.<\/p>\n
Vocal Yes campaigner Dr Peter Boylan described the result as a “watershed moment”.<\/p>\n
The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists chairman said he was “very relieved” and felt “vindicated”.<\/p>\n
“It’s a wonderful day for Irish women,” Dr Boylan said.<\/p>\n
He paid tribute to the women who “told their stories so bravely”.<\/p>\n
Dr Boylan also thanked his the consultants at the coalface, who he said witnessed at first hand the reality the Eighth Amendment made.<\/p>\n