Abortion protest buffer zone law comes into effect in Northern Ireland

Under the legislation it is illegal for people to "be impeded, recorded, influenced or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress within the zones".

'Safe zones' preventing anti-abortion protests from being held at the front doors of certain health care clinics have legally come into force.

The legislation applies to eight health care service locations across five health trusts in Northern Ireland.

Introduced to the Stormont Assembly by former Green Party MLA Clare Bailey, the law aims to protect women accessing services and counselling, as well as protecting staff.

The law makes it "illegal for them to be impeded, recorded, influenced or to be caused harassment, alarm or distress within the zones".

Passed at Stormont in 2022, the zones outlined in law cover a range of distances.

From Friday, zones are in operation at:

  • Southern Trust - Craigavon Area Hospital - 100m

  • Southern Trust - Daisy Hill Hospital - 130m

  • Belfast Trust - College Street - 130m

  • Belfast Trust - Bradbury Wellbeing and Treatment Centre - 150m

  • Northern Trust - Causeway Hospital - 100m

  • Western Trust - Altnagelvin Hospital - 100m

  • South Eastern Trust - Lagan Valley Hospital - 100m

  • South Eastern Trust - Ulster Hospital - 100m

The Department for Health said information about the zones is "displayed at protected premises" and is also published on its website, and that of the Health and Social Care Trust.

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