Council to seek legal advice on ‘safe zones’ around abortion facilities
Louth City Council is to seek legal advice on a proposed bye-law to prevent anti-abortion campaigners from targeting healthcare facilities offering abortion services.
Councillors approved a motion by Cllr Emma Coffey, principal at Emma Coffey Solicitors, which proposed restrictions on certain behaviour within 500 metres of a healthcare facility.
The “prohibited behaviour” would include demonstrations, leafleting and recording, as well as harassment and threats.
The chief executive of Louth City Council will now seek a legal opinion on the measures, which will also be referred to the joint policing committee and a strategic policy committee.
Pro-choice group Lawyers for Choice welcomed the motion, which it said was “the first of its kind in Ireland”.