Sydney Rose Brianna Parkins won applause from the Rose of Tralee crowd when she told Dáithí Ó Sé that she’d love to see Ireland hold a referendum on the 8th Amendment of Bunreacht na hÉireann.
The 8th Amendment recognises the right to life of the unborn in Ireland and is currently under great scrutiny from Irish citizens as well as the UN.
https://twitter.com/LarsBiscuits/status/767895242133663744
Parkins’ play for reproductive rights follows hot on the heels of this weekend’s #twowomentravel story, in which a woman and her friend live-tweeted their experience of travelling to England to have an abortion.
Though Parkins was applauded at the venue, the response on social media was even more pronounced, drawing glowing praise from some:
Ireland: wanna come over
Sydney rose: can't I'm in Sydney
Ire: women are being denied basic human rights here
SR: pic.twitter.com/nA2GjSwVha— megg (@_M_egg) August 22, 2016
The organisers are currently sending the Sydney Rose back in her time machine, to the future where she so clearly belongs. #RoseofTralee
— John Banville (@John_Banville) August 22, 2016
@parkinsbrea as a former Rose it was WONDERFUL to hear the Sydney Rose speak out about @repealeight #humanrights #ourbodiesourchoice
— Ruth Smith (@theruthsmith) August 22, 2016
What did the Sydney Rose say about #RepealThe8th? I need to know so I can vote for the first time in my life! #RoseOfTralee
— Áine 🦊 (@rosefrankiefox) August 22, 2016
Not everybody was enthralled with Aussie Rose, however, with some even giving her abuse:
https://twitter.com/darclonmel/status/767847251465109505
Can we send the Sydney Rose back on the next prison ship?
— JP McGee (@Fubble365) August 22, 2016
RTÉ were also criticised by some for ‘removing all mention’ of Parkins’ call for a referendum, though this is inaccurate. The moment has not been edited out of the Sydney Rose segment on RTÉ player, and happens at roughly the three minute mark.
RTÉ Entertainment did, however, delete which referred to Parkins going “off-script”.
Parkins, who works as a journalist, thanked Twitter for its support at the end of the night, along with another message supporting the Repeal the 8th movement.
Thanks for the all the support #SydneyRose #RoseofTralee #repealthe8th pic.twitter.com/zqK0XPkJ34
— Brianna Parkins (@parkinsbrea) August 23, 2016
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