Six Irish girls aged 14 years or younger travelled to England and Wales for an abortion last year, according to statistics from the British Office for National Statistics. This compares with seven the previous year.
At least 4,894 Irish women crossed the Irish Sea for an abortion in 1996, an increase of 362 on the previous year.
However, according to a spokesman, the actual figure could be higher. The statistics do not include Irish women who had abortions in Scotland. In addition, only cases in which the women gave an address in the Republic of Ireland are recorded; it is believed some Irish women give false addresses in Britain.
Last year 22 Irish 15-yearolds had abortions in England and Wales, compared with 18 in 1995. The number of 16- to 19-year-olds travelling for abortions was 766 last year, as against 673 in 1995.