Student president impeached in aftermath of row over ‘illegal’ abortion information

Katie Ascough, president of UCD Students’ Union, came under fire from pro-choice students after removing information about accessing an abortion from the Winging It magazine.

UCDSU’s solicitor advised that the information would have breached the Abortion Information Act 1995, which restricts the dissemination of detailed information about abortions. Any person or organisation that breaches the Act can face a fine of up to €1,900.

But critics of Ms Ascough said that other information in the magazine - such as how to remove a wheel clamp - was also illegal, and that UCDSU had a record of defying the law, for example by installing a condom dispenser when contraception was illegal in Ireland.

A total of 6,572 students voted in the impeachment referendum, with 4,540 (69 per cent) voting for impeachment and 2,032 against.

The narrowest margin was in the Business and Law School, where 55 per cent of students voted for impeachment.

Law student Amy Crean, who led the Yes to Impeach campaign, said she was “so proud of our campaign for its success in inserting democracy, transparency, and accountability into UCD Students’ Union”.