Court gives Rosaleen green light to intervene in legal challenge against abortion in Northern Ireland
A Dungiven woman whose daughter has Down’s Syndrome has been granted permission by the High Court to intervene in a landmark case against the Secretary of State’s new powers to force abortion in NI.
She believes the regulations will see her fifteen-year-old daughter Cara Rose face mounting discrimination, as she has Down’s Syndrome.
“Cara Rose is a great asset to her school and gets brilliant school reports,” Rosaleen told the News Letter. “Her smile brightens up the room. She is also very caring - especially if someone is upset.
“She loves competing in watersports and is just great fun to be around.
“But my concern is that with these regulations it will become increasingly normal to abort babies who have non-fatal disabilities like Down’s Syndrome.
“And as this becomes something that is normalised in our schools and media, I believe it will lead to Cara Rose being treated as less than human.”
Rosaleen and her family wish to update the court on the physiological impact the regulations have on Cara-Rose and others with disabilities, what they see as the negative undertones they create women in society, and the absence of any consultation on them.
The case is due to begin in October.