Failed challenge to abortion referendum result could go to Supreme Court

Failed challenge to abortion referendum result could go to Supreme Court

A failed challenge to the outcome of the abortion referendum which was likened by Mr Justice George Birmingham, president of the Court of Appeal, to “a frustration of the democratic process”, may be appealed to the Supreme Court.

Earlier this week, Mr Justice Birmingham upheld the High Court’s refusal to grant leave to Joanna Jordan to present a petition seeking to have the Provisional Referendum Certificate declared null and void.

Ms Jordan has until Friday to decide whether or not to appeal his ruling to the Supreme Court, The Irish Times reports.

Legal experts agree an appeal is unlikely to succeed, but it could further delay the forthcoming abortion legislation.

The Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018 cannot be signed into law until all legal challenges to the referendum result have concluded.

The Government plans to introduce the bill to the Oireachtas in late September and have it signed into law by the end of October.

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