Offaly TD addresses 'March for Life' event in Dublin

Offaly TD Carol Nolan was among the speakers at the annual 'March for Life' event which attracted a large turnout in Dublin yesterday (Monday).

Speakers at the gathering called on the Irish public to 'think pro-life' before they vote in the upcoming local and European elections.

In her address, Deputy Nolan said, "While it's devastating to see abortion numbers increase rapidly under the new law, and watch grotesque amounts of taxpayers' money being spent on abortion provision, the veil at last is finally being lifted and more and more people are starting to ask questions about what our leaders in government are presiding over."

She said this had been illustrated "in a truly spectacular way" with the results of the recent Family and Care referendums.

Deputy Nolan also took issue with what she called the "unchecked power" of taxpayer funded NGOs like the National Women’s Council.

"It is a very healthy thing in a democracy when voters start to become engaged and start looking for honest answers - on things like questioning the enormous sums of money being given to NGOs like the National Women’s Council," she said.

"The National Women’s Council were shown to be hopelessly out of touch with the views and concerns of women during the recent referendum campaign.

"Their stance on abortion is also way more radical than what the average voter supports, yet as a group the National Women’s Council wields an inordinate amount of power in determining government policy on issues like abortion.

"The unchecked power of the National Women’s Council needs to be brought to an end," she said.

A Mass was celebrated by Bishop of Elphin, Kevin Doran, in advance of the March at Newman University Church in St Stephen's Green.

Moate man Shane Lynam, who is standing as an Irish Freedom Party candidate in the Moate local electoral area at the local elections on June 7, was among the volunteers at yesterday's event in Dublin.

Mr Lynam said he was encouraging voters to consider voting for pro-life candidates in the upcoming local and European Elections.

"It was great to be part of such a wonderful event and I would like to thank the organisers for giving me the opportunity to contribute," he said.