Judge finds against pro-life campaigner

A judge has found pro-life campaigner Bernadette Smyth guilty of harassing the executive director of the first private facility to offer medical abortion in Northern Ireland.

However, Mrs Smyth's lawyer has expressed deep concerns about the ruling and said that it will be appealed.

Bernadette leads the 'Precious Life' group and has played a very prominent role in resisting liberalisation of abortion law in Northern Ireland 

She and pro-life volunteers have demonstrated outside the controversial Marie Stopes facility in Belfast over the past two years, since it opened in 2012. Abortion remains illegal in Northern Ireland except in rare circumstances.

In an interview this week on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, Andrea Williams, spoke of Bernadette's bravery and defended the importance of standing outside abortion facilities to ensure that women know the truth about abortion. 

You can listen to the interview, which also features Ann Furedi, chief executive of the UK's largest abortion provider, here.

Related Stories:

Andrea Williams speak of Bernadette's bravery on the Today programme Andrea Williams defends the necessity of informing woman and the public about the reality of abortion. Listen here

Marie Stopes set to open its first abortion clinic in Belfast
 

Related Coverage:
Pro-life campaigners ‘disturbed’ by harassment ruling (Catholic Herald)