More than 10,000 abortions were carried out in Ireland last year

More than 10,000 abortions were carried out in Ireland in 2023, according to a new report from the Department of Health. 

The report detailed that there were 10,033 abortions carried out in Ireland last year, a significant rise from the 8,156 terminations carried out in 2022. 

The abortions were carried out under the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018, which came into effect following Ireland's historic referendum to legalize abortion in 2018. 

Of the 10,033 abortions carried out last year, 21 were carried out due to a risk to life or health of the mother, while seven were carried out because there was a risk to life or health in an emergency situation. 

A further 129 terminations were carried out due to a fatal fetal abnormality, while 9,876 abortions were carried out during early pregnancy. 

Under Irish law, pregnancies can be terminated without restriction within the first 12 weeks, while a termination can be carried out within 28 days of the birth when there is a risk to the life of the pregnant woman. Terminations can also be carried out within 28 days when there is a risk of causing serious harm to the health of the pregnant woman or when there is a condition present that is likely to lead to the death of the fetus. 

The new report highlights that May was the month with the highest number of terminations last year, with 902 terminations carried out during the month. February, on the other hand, had the fewest number of abortions last year, with 683 carried out during the 28-day month. 

Women residing in Dublin accounted for by far the most abortions last year (3,645), followed by women in Cork (873). 

Women residing in Leitrim (47) and Monaghan (74) accounted for the fewest number of abortions last year.