The Taoiseach's called today's apparent landslide vote 'a quiet revolution', that will see the 8th amendment repealed.
The culmination of a quiet revolution says @campaignforleo of #8thRef pic.twitter.com/ZFMo0h8APc
— Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) May 26, 2018
There were early celebrations for yes campaigners as the result seemed clear.
Together for Yes campaigners are already celebrating in #Waterford #8thRef pic.twitter.com/0KZRnfDGgO
— Gail Conway (@Gailiana) May 26, 2018
Michelle Byrne from USI says students voted YES! #waterford #8thRef pic.twitter.com/HEzDVg2IHf
— Gail Conway (@Gailiana) May 26, 2018
It was a day of emotion for both sides with the Health Minister Simon Harris saying "women were told under the 8th amendment women in crisis pregnancy were told take the plane or take the boat, today we tell them take our hand".
Very emotional scenes. Many women coming up thanking Health Minister @SimonHarrisTD for his role in the @Together4yes campaign. #8thRef pic.twitter.com/TXkWwNxrhp
— Richard Chambers🎙 (@newschambers) May 26, 2018
It was clear from early on that the No vote had not materialised.
Just an hour after boxes opened Love Both campaigners have left the Meath East count centre. One woman in tears #8thref pic.twitter.com/XS74SpHLOc
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) May 26, 2018
The LoveBoth campaign however said the predictions "paint a bleak picture," paving the way for "abortion on demand."
Spokesperson Dr Ruth Cullen said: “We are immensely proud and grateful to all our volunteers throughout the country who worked tirelessly over recent months to ensure unborn babies would not be deprived of legal protections.
"Regardless of what happens today the campaign to protect unborn babies will endure,” she said.
The first box is open at the Donegal count. pic.twitter.com/aVERraJVz0
— Niall Colbert (@NiallColbert1) May 26, 2018
Donegal was the only part of the country leaning towards a No vote.
LoveBoth communications director John McGuirk said the unborn right to life exists “independent of what a majority says.”
He went on to concede that: “with a result of that magnitude, clearly there was very little to be done.”
The 8th did not create an unborn child's right to life - it merely acknowledged it. The right exists, independent of what a majority says. That said, with a result of that magnitude, clearly there was very little to be done. Thank you to every NO voter and campaigner. #8thref
— John McGuirk (@john_mcguirk) May 25, 2018
But for Yes Campaigners there was celebration.
The reaction from Dublin West pic.twitter.com/FOWHI6vLna
— Juliette Gash (@JulietteGash) May 26, 2018
