Gardaí were called to a disturbance at a hotel in Dublin city centre today as anti-abortion protesters tried to disrupt an Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) press conference calling for abortion in Ireland.
Prof Ivana Bacik
During the press conference in the Westin Hotel, Westmoreland Street, around six protesters, carrying placards and shouting slogans, tried to force their way into the Guinea Room of the hotel where the IFPA were unveiling their campaign for "safe and legal abortion in Ireland".
Hotel porters and members of the IFPA were successful in closing the doors and keeping the protesters out of the room after some initial pushing and shoving at the doorway.
The protesters shouted slogans such as "abortionists" and "murderers" while trying to get in. Many in the room appeared shaken by the sudden nature and aggressiveness of the protest.
There was particular invective from the protesters for Prof Ivana Bacik, who is the spokesperson for the IFPA's campaign. "Bacik has no right, to end a child' life," the protesters shouted again and again.
Prof Bacik, who remained composed despite looking a little shaken, said the disturbance had "scared" her.
"It is scary. I accept the right of individuals to express themselves, but, we can't allow bully boy tactics to succeed," she said. "I won't let it stop me. It's not the first time I've been the subject of this type physical intimidation. I'll carry on."
The protesters had left by the time up to 12 gardaí arrived. This afternoon, extreme anti-abortion group Youth Defence said 10 of its members had disrupted a press conference.
The Pro-Life Campaign issued a statement "totally disassociating" the group from the protest.
The Westin Hotel said it had no comment to make about the incident, which lasted only a few minutes.