Majority vote for reform in historic Irish abortion referendum

Voters in the Republic of Ireland have overwhelmingly backed abortion reform in an historic referendum.

The public decided by a two-to-one landslide to repeal part of the state's constitution which effectively prohibits terminations unless a mother's life is endangered.

A referendum was held on Friday and produced overwhelming consensus for reform amongst men and women, nearly all classes and age groups, and across most counties in the Republic.

Shortly after counting begun on Saturday, a lead anti-abortion group, Save the 8th, conceded defeat.

Over two million people had their say the Yes campaign won with a majority of 706,349 votes.

Final results on Saturday evening showed that 66.4% of voters backed reform, with 33.6% against.

The only constituency to vote "no" was Donegal with 51.87% against and 48.13% for, on a turnout of 57.96%.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that a "quiet revolution" had taken place, as voters chose to repeal the Eighth Amendment.

Mr Varadkar said: "The public have spoken, the result appears to be resounding in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment, possibly to carry every constituency in the country."

The landslide in favour of liberalising abortion laws in the Republic has now prompted fresh calls for similar action north of the border.

Northern Ireland will soon become the only part of the UK and Ireland where terminations are all but outlawed.

Both Lives Matter campaign co-founder Dawn McAvoy said: "Eyes are turning to Northern Ireland.

"Democracy and devolution must be respected and the people of Northern Ireland must not have legislation imposed upon them, from either Westminster or Dublin."