It was hard to conceive the impact of my brother’s life and my mum’s bravery on so many people’s lives. His life was a source of inspiration — Al

On the 6th of April 2011 at 3 a.m., my brother Jimmy was born. It was a premature birth – 6 months. At 6 a.m., he left us. Those 3 hours were gold. Jimmy was baptised, Jimmy was held by my mum and dad, Jimmy was loved and was never alone or felt lonely. His life was meaningful.
Unfortunately, I never got to meet him during those 4 hours, nor did the rest of my siblings. We never made it in time to the hospital. We did, however, get to feel him kick and move in the earlier stages of the pregnancy. Whenever mum felt him moving, she’d motion me or whomever was around to come close and lay our hands on her tummy. We would then feel Jimmy, full of life! Probably excited to hear music playing or reacting to the voices – and squeaks! – of his older brothers and sisters arriving home after a long day at school. He was so full of life!
After his passing, we gave him a funeral, and a burial. I can still recall the church at full capacity. People at the back, standing, and at the church’s entrance, as there were not enough pews and chairs to hold the crowd. It was hard to conceive the impact of my brother’s life and my mum’s bravery on so many people’s lives. His life was a source of inspiration.
Unfortunately, the right to life of babies like Jimmy no longer exists in our constitution. It is overlooked. The Yes campaign blindfolded Irish people with unfounded propaganda, making no reference to the child’s humanity and dignity or the women who regret their abortions. Since when do the rights of one individual strip the rights of another? Is it because they are defenseless human beings? Is that how low their pretext for abortion was? I find it appalling.
What’s even more distressing is the lack of aid directed toward perinatal hospice care. Our taxes can fund abortions but cannot help women that want to carry on with their pregnancies and give their child the dignity he or she deserves. We are better than this, Ireland is better than abortion.