In less than three weeks, the country will go to the polls for another referendum as we’re asked to vote on the hugely emotive issue of the 8th Amendment.
Yes campaigners are seeking to give women the right to choose – freely, safely and legally in Ireland – if they want to have an abortion or not.
This is challenged by pro-life campaigners who seek to protect the rights of an unborn child.
This week we take a look back at how Laois/Offaly voted in November, 1995 on the 15th Amendment – Dissolution of Marriage – essentially a vote on allowing divorce into Ireland.
In the constituency there was a definitive rejection of the introduction of divorce, with 59.8% saying No, and 40.14% voting Yes.
This was incontrast to the national vote which narrowly saw the Dissolution of Marriage Referendum passed by 50.28% to 49.72%.
Carlow/Kilkenny voted 45.71% in favour and 54.29% against divorce.
Tipperary North voted 38.37% in favour and 61.63% against divorce.
All the constituencies in Dublin, along with Wicklow, Kildare, Cork South Central, Limerick East and Louth voted in favour of the introduction of divorce.
Following the Referendum, the Leinster Express reported: “… there was a significant swing of almost 14% towards a Yes vote, compared to 1986, and this helped to consolidate the national vote, which was just sufficient to ensure victory”.
While the Referendum was a momentous one in the history of the State, it garnered little interest from the public when it came to the count in Portlaoise.
Held in St Mary’s Hall, it was reported that the centre was “virtually deserted”.
“Most Laois-Offaly politicians ‘divorced’ themselves from the issue and there seemed little public interest in the count,” the local newspaper commented at the time.
The only Fianna Fáil TD present on the day was Ger Connolly, who opposed the divorce proposal.
Labour TD Pat Gallagher (now the Westmeath Council Chief Executive), who backed the divorce proposal, was also there along with his Labour colleagues.
Representatives of the Laois-Offaly Right to Remarry campaign were also present.
Anti divorce campaigners at the count in Portlaoise warned politicians to take note that almost half the population had voted against divorce.
Mrs Mary Culliton of the Laois-Offaly Against Divorce Campaign hoped Laois-Offaly politicians would take note that almost 60% of local voters had done so and she thanked all those who had voted No.
Joe Grennan of the Laois-Offaly Right to Remarry campaign estimated that Laois was 65% No with Offaly recording a higher Yes vote.
As expected, the Yes vote was higher in urban centres such as Portlaoise and Tullamore.
“Many people voted No because they were uncertain, they’ll find in the next few years that their fears have not materialised,” Mr Grennan said.
SEE ALSO – Referendum Watch: How Laois voted in 1983 Right to Life Referendum
