Dutch 'abortion vessel' docks in Dublin
The controversial Dutch "abortion ship", the Aurora, has arrived in Dublin 15 hours ahead of schedule.
The vessel, which is equipped to carry out on-board abortions, docked in the River Liffey last night and is currently under Garda protection.
However, the Amsterdam-based Women on Waves Foundation, which organised the trip, would not confirm whether the ship planned to offer terminations in off-shore international waters, as reported.
Instead, a spokesman said they intended to lobby for a change in abortion laws here and to distribute contraception and family planning legislation.
The Netherlands has already warned that it will prosecute crew members if they perform any such operations, as the ship has not been given a licence to do so by Dutch authorities.
The arrival of the Aurora has already been described by Health Minister Micheal Martin and pro-life groups as a publicity stunt, and have urged anti-abortion activists not to protest on the quayside.
