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Orna Madden Talks About 5 Reasons to Be a Barrister in Ireland

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Discover the top reasons to pursue a barrister career in Ireland. Orna Madden shares inspiring insights about the legal profession, highlighting its impact, independence, and intellectual rewards in today’s evolving legal landscape.

#OrnaMadden #BarristerIreland #IrishLaw #LegalCareer #BeABarrister #IrishBar #LawInIreland #JusticeInIreland #LegalProfession #BarristerLife #LawCareerTips #IrishLegalSystem #CourtroomAdvocate #LegalInspiration #BarristersOfIreland

Why I’m Pro-Choice

As a fashion designer, I have up until now always steered clear of political issues. I did this in fear of losing support of my work, of it impacting my business. My attitude was embedded in the “what will the neighbours think” Irish mentality. It was embedded in fear.

Last week I met a man who differed greatly in opinion to me. He wasn’t the first but he was the one that urged me to speak proudly in what I believe in. In our short conversation, I realised that he didn’t believe that women could make their own judgements when it came to their body. It was a horrible feeling to think that while women are slowly inching towards equality, we are far from freedom when it comes to Irish Law and the Eighth Amendment.

In the upcoming Repeal of the Eighth Amendment I will be voting YES. This does not mean I am Pro-abortion, I am pro-choice. I believe in and respect a woman to make her own decision when it comes to her body, her life, her family and her future. I am not anti-religion and respect that others have a right to faith. I was raised Catholic and taught to treat others as I would like to be treated and that includes hearing all sides of the story.

Since giving birth to my daughter I have promised that I will be the woman that she admires and respects. I want her to grow up in a world she can be proud of and contribute to wholeheartedly. So when I do things now, I think of Zelda. I put us in the thought process. When I went into labour with Zelda in 2016, I placed all my trust in the healthcare system and those amazing healthcare givers at my side. Everything went smoothly but it could have been very different. Our laws and how they affect maternity healthcare need to be scrutinised. It is not right that when a pregnancy is at risk, that our system is not equipped to help but rather abandon the family. 3265 women travelled to the United Kingdom from Ireland for abortion services. This figure does not include women (and their family) who travelled elsewhere, gave a UK address or illegally procured abortion pills. I don’t judge these women, but rather my heart is full of sadness for them. In their darkest time, they felt guilt, worry, alone and fear.

For those who argue for life, I don’t oppose life. I think about the tough decisions that women make before an abortion. None of those decisions are made lightly. If the eighth amendment is repealed there will be no rush or long lines at abortion clinics. It’s a last resort that no woman wants. All women want a perfect pregnancy, a healthy and happy time but this is not always the case. My daughter and I have the right to our own body. To make our own decisions regardless of whether they are deemed right or wrong by others. Our uterus should not be up for discussion by others or the political system. It is not under ownership by any church or deity.

As a mother, I am disappointed in my country. There is uncertainty around Ireland’s future laws on abortion when there shouldn’t be. I don’t support abortion as a “method of contraception” and have yet to meet a pro-choice person who does. The women who I talk to wish for a better judicial system that supports safe and appropriate medical care when both mother and baby are faced with tough decisions. Future laws need greater infrastructure that deals with contraception, sexual and sexuality education, and sexual abuse (especially when pregnancy is the outcome).

I don’t like to be reminded that in 2018, we are facing this. I was born in 1983 and we have not progressed at all on this matter. I am disappointed in the Irish educational system and I am disappointed in the religious shadow that it is embedded in. Since my days in school (there was no sex ed in my secondary school but we got an American troop who did a half day workshop on abstinence), I recently found that little has changed. The RSE (Relationships and Sexuality Education) is mandatory in schools but the ethos of the school can influence the delivery of course content. While school ethos has it’s importance, it should not change sexuality education. Regardless of religion, creed or ethos, sex and sexuality is the same for everyone. Sexual education; family planning, sexual orientation and sexually transmitted infections is necessary for our children/teens and they have a right for it to be delivered clearly and free from the veil of religious thought or other agenda. This access to information is to safeguard our children and is of upmost importance. If we can learn anything from the 8th amendment is that our educational, judicial, and healthcare systems need to be independent of any religious entity.

The Repeal of the Eighth Amendment is an issue that everyone has an opinion to. I urge anyone who is on the fence to educate themselves and to take part in well-informed conversations. It is an important conversation in safeguarding the freedoms of women and families of the future. I have friends who will vote to save the 8th and those who want to repeal but I will be voting to Repeal the Eighth Amendment this Summer.