Ban on abortions OK'ed for Ireland's Constitution

Ireland has voted a controversial anti-abortion amendment into the Constitution by a 2-to-1 majority, according to early results, but only about half the electorate bothered to turn out.

Supporters hope that by putting the issue into the Constitution they would stop Ireland from going the way of some other countries where abortion has been legalized. Critics of the amendment argue that it is unnecessary because abortion is already illegal; sectarian, as it is opposed by the Protestant and Jewish minorities; and potentially dangerous, after some doctors argued it coud put an expectant mother's life at risk.