IT was in County Roscommon four months ago when I first had a presentiment that the last ties binding Ireland to its ancient heritage of humanity were about to be loosened. The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, had announced that a referendum would take place on whether to repeal the 8th amendment of the Irish constitution, the one that accorded equal status to the life of an unborn child with that of its mother. Only in extreme circumstances, including a genuine threat to the life of the mother, could an abortion take place. . http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/16265000.Kevin_McKenna__Glee_over_Ireland_repealing_abortion_ban_was_sickening/