Northern Ireland abortion buffer zones now law: Abolish Abortion NI holds demonstration - but no PSNI enforcement yet

The PSNI have not arrested pro-life campaigners in Portadown who believe they may have been acting within a new abortion protest buffer zone.
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By Philip Bradfield
Published 10th May 2023, 11:10 BST
Updated 10th May 2023, 13:01 BST

Last year the assembly passed legislation which creates zones around Northern Ireland's abortion clinics in which pro-life campaigners are forbidden from activism.

The new law creates zones of 100 metres – with the possibility of extending them up to 150 metres depending on the location of the clinic – where campaigners are not allowed to gather.

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It is understood that the law became live in Northern Ireland on Sunday.

Abolish Abortion NI held a demonstration outside Craigavon Area Hospital on Sunday. It is understood they may have been operating within a newly established buffer zone, which prohibits such activity.Abolish Abortion NI held a demonstration outside Craigavon Area Hospital on Sunday. It is understood they may have been operating within a newly established buffer zone, which prohibits such activity.
Abolish Abortion NI held a demonstration outside Craigavon Area Hospital on Sunday. It is understood they may have been operating within a newly established buffer zone, which prohibits such activity.

However pro-life campaign group Abolish Abortion NI said that the actual boundaries of the zones have not yet been officially determined, and therefore the PSNI is not yet trying to enforce the law.

The group organised a demonstration at the entrance of Craigavon Area Hospital on Sunday, which it says 35 people attended. It reported that the PSNI monitored the situation but did not engage.

Abolish Abortion NI Spokesman Mark Lambe said: "While these actions will soon be deemed as an offence there are currently no exclusion zones active in Northern Ireland and, therefore, no offences were committed."

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He added: "When zones eventually become active, actions such as prayer and sharing the Gospel can result in a fine of up to £2500," he said. "Police will also have the power to arrest and forcibly remove people from the area.”

Pro-choice group Alliance for Choice Belfast said it welcomed the fact that since Sunday the buffer zones are now law in NI.

Spokeswoman Naomi Connor said: ‘For far too long, women have run the gauntlet of so-called ‘protesters’ outside clinics across NI.”

She added: “It is incumbent on the PSNI and Department of Health to ensure this legislation is enforced so that nobody is threatened when attending clinics and support services.”

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The PSNI said: "We are currently engaging with the Department of Health and partners to understand the implications for policing as a result of the Act. In terms of enforcement:Our focus will be around supporting partners with engagement and understanding with enforcement being a last resort and only when necessary."

A Department of Health spokesman said that Health Trusts are currently working to establish buffer zones. Once operational, the zones may be enforced by the PSNI, from 7 May 2023. The Department will publish details of all zones once they are operational, he added.

Related topics:PSNINorthern IrelandPortadownDepartment of HealthPolice