Through the Looking Glass of the 8th Amendment: A Historical Analysis of its Conception, Gestation and Birth
Ireland has a shameful history of its treatment of women. From the Magdalene laundries, to Mother and Baby homes, to the Tuam baby scandal and black markets for adopted babies, Ireland has done its best to sweep the lingering dirt of its past under the rug. Somehow, this image does not fit with the carefully curated picture of a modern, globalized Ireland, which grins its teeth at international conglomerates and ushers them in with arms wide open full of democratic values, rule of law, 12.5% corporation tax, skilled English speaking and more importantly, WHITE WESTERN workers, green fields, drinking culture and the all-important craic. Meanwhile, the last skeleton in the closet of this previous era, the flesh long rotted, the eye sockets gaping, - has begun to creak and shake off its old bones. It whispers of a closely guarded Irish secret of a sacrifice that was once made by Ireland – a sacrifice, some say, which was made of all its women for generations to come. A deal which was s...