The deaths of 32 babies in Northern Ireland who were born alive following attempted abortions have raised urgent questions about medical practice, legal responsibility and accountability, according to Precious Life director Bernadette Smyth.
The figures were revealed in the Northern Ireland Assembly by TUV MLA Timothy Gaston, who cited death registrations listing “Termination of Pregnancy” as a contributory or underlying cause of death for 32 foetuses and newborns. Mr Gaston told MLAs the babies were “living children” who had “taken their first breaths” before dying.
Describing the cases as “utterly barbaric”, Mrs Smyth said the revelations marked “a new low” for Northern Ireland. “These children were born alive. Someone knows what happened to them,” she said. “The question is: were they given care, or were they simply left to die?”
“To our knowledge, the Department of Health has said these children should be given comfort care,” she said. “But there doesn’t seem to be any evidence that this has happened.”
Mrs Smyth said much of the reality surrounding abortion provision remains ‘shrouded in mystery’. “I don’t think Stormont even really knows exactly what’s happening,” she said. “There are no questions being asked, and no accountability.”
Precious Life is working with pro-life MLAs to submit Freedom of Information requests on hospital protocols and the care provided.
“Out of sight is out of mind,” she said. “People don’t understand what’s happening because they’re not being told. That’s why informing and educating the public is absolutely vital.”
Mrs Smyth said the organisation would continue public awareness campaigns ahead of the 2027 Assembly election, adding: “These children should not be forgotten.”
