Sir, - Here we go again! Medb Ruane tells us (June 8th): "Meanwhile, 6,338 Irish women gave addresses in this State when having abortions in Britain last year. Yielding the highest percentage rate of late abortions in Europe."
The truth is that 6,338 women gave addresses in this State, but they were not necessarily Irish. In fact, since late abortions are expedited when Irish addresses are given, and abortion clinic people do not seek verification, it is quite possible that at least 75 per cent of those women are not Irish residents.
In short, the true figure for Irish women going to the UK for unnecessary abortions may be close to 1,000 a year. - Yours, etc.,
Joe Foyle, Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.