İrlanda

Abortion Laws and Policies

Overview

Abortion is permitted on request up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. There is no gestational limit when there is an immediate risk to the life, or of serious harm to the health, including physical and mental health, of the pregnant woman. Abortion is also allowed for conditions affecting the foetus that, is likely to lead to the death of the foetus either before, or within 28 days of, birth.

Minors under the age of 16 are required to obtain parental or their legal guardians consent for an abortion. There is a mandatory waiting period of 3 day in place before the abortion can be done. It is counted from the date of certification by a medical practitioner that the pregnancy has not exceeded 12 weeks.

An abortion is free for persons who normally live in the Republic of Ireland. The cost of contraception, pain relief or antibiotics will not be covered unless the person has a medical card. Patients with a medical card will be subject to prescription charges.

Abortion providers and any persons assisting may be criminalized for an abortion outside of the legal conditions specified in the law. Medical practitioners and providers have the right to refuse abortion services based on personal beliefs. However, medical practitioners and providers are obligated to refer individuals to another provider if they refuse service.

Claim your rights

Access to abortion is a fundamental human right and a basic healthcare need. If you live in a country with restrictions to abortion access, you can visit Women on Web to request abortion pills or learn more about the local support and resources available in your country.

About Abortion Pills

An abortion with pills is a safe and effective way to end a pregnancy at home. There are two ways to have an abortion with pills:

Have an abortion with a pill called Mifepristone and another pill called Misoprostol;
Have an abortion with the pill Misoprostol only.

You already have abortion pills? Find instructions, information around dosage, safety precautions and tips here.

Mifepristone

Mifepristone is officially registered by the country’s pharmaceutical authority.

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Mifepristone can be bought in Pharmacy Distribution

Misoprostol

Misoprostol is registered

It is registered for gynecological indications (such as birth, miscarriage treatment or abortion care etc.)

These are brand names under which Mifepristone, Misoprostol or Combi Packs (that contain both abortion pills Mifepristone and Misoprostol) are officially distributed and/or commonly found in the country.

Brand names

Mifepristone:
Mifegyne 200 mg (Exelgyn)

Misoprostol:
Cytotec 200mcg Pfizer Ltd
MisoOne 400 mcg (Exelgyn)
Arthrotec 50 or 75 (200 mcg) **contains Diclofenac
Angusta 25 mcg

Safety notice
There are pills that contain a combination of Misoprostol and the painkiller Diclofenac. While manufactured for a different purpose they can still be used for abortion. Specific instructions need to be followed to avoid overdosing the Diclofenac.

Local Organizations and Resources

No local organizations.

Community Comments

No comments.

Scams

Watch out for fake abortion clinics and sellers online. See or contribute to our list of scams & stay safe!

Other Databases and Sources

These are the sources and databases used to gather the information listed on this country profile.

09.08.2022/National Medicine Authority; Misoprostol: https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/medicines-information/find-a-medicine/results?query=Misoprostol&field=ACTIVESUBSTANCES
09.08.2022/National Medicine Authority; Mifepristone: https://www.hpra.ie/homepage/medicines/medicines-information/find-a-medicine/results?query=Mifepristone&field=ACTIVESUBSTANCES
09.08.2022/WHO, Global Abortion Policies Database: https://abortion-policies.srhr.org/country/ireland/
21.08.2022/European Abortion Policies Atlas: https://europe.ippf.org/resource/european-abortion-policies-atlas
14.12.2022/REDAAS conscientious objection map: https://www.redaas.org.ar/conscientious-objection-map
14.12.2022/Center for Reproductive Rights. The World’s Abortion Laws: https://reproductiverights.org/maps/worlds-abortion-laws/