The recent conviction of a young woman in Northern Ireland for using the abortion pill will be discussed at a Repeal the 8th Amendment rally in Dublin today.

Pro-choice group ROSA is organising the Day of Action which will feature washing lines for the public to write and display their own Repeal the 8th messages.

Hundreds of people will also form a giant human ‘8’ with an ‘X’ through it in Smithfield Square at 12pm.

Rita Harrold from ROSA has said that abortion should no longer be a political issue: “A woman unfortunately was charged in the North, very recently for using the abortion pill at home, illegally but safely.

“Many other women are in that situation, we can’t have it continue that these women are threatened with up to 14 years in prison.

“We are asking for a referendum to be held, we don’t care if members of Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil are pro-choice or otherwise, we want to have a vote so ordinary people can have their say.”