Anti-Repeal campaigners have vowed to continue their opposition to the Government's planned legislation on abortion as well as any prospect that abortion clinics could open in Ireland.

The Save the Eighth campaign described the referendum result as a "tragedy of historic proportions" while pro-life campaigner Cora Sherlock said it was "an extremely bad day for Ireland".

Senator Ronan Mullen meanwhile, said he would work "to try and curb the worst excesses of what the Government is proposing".

He said that there was a new generation of young people in the pro-life movement who would work on rebuilding a culture in Ireland "where the need to protect the unborn becomes the most popular, widely-held view again".

Save the Eighth said: "A wrong does not become right simply because a majority support it," and added: "The unborn child no longer has a right to life recognised by the Irish State. Shortly, legislation will be introduced that will allow babies to be killed in our country. We will oppose that legislation."

And it warned: "If and when abortion clinics are opened in Ireland, because of the inability of the Government to keep their promise about a GP-led service, we will oppose that as well. Every time an unborn child has his or her life ended in Ireland, we will oppose that, and make our voices known. Abortion was wrong yesterday. It remains wrong today. The constitution has changed, but the facts have not."

Ms Sherlock said that the result amounted to voting for "the ending of human life" and she said she is personally "very, very upset" at the outcome.

She said the pro-life movement will continue its pursuit of keeping Ireland abortion-free.

How Did Your Constituency Vote? Final Results Ireland

Dublin Map Key Yes 55% 50% 55% No

She said they will "regroup and find out what our next move is".

Ms Sherlock said they will discuss whether they will now focus on pushing anti-repeal TDs in the Dail to block legislation.

She claimed that "scaremongering and frightening women" went on "wholesale" during the campaign by pro-repeal activists who created doubt about healthcare provisions for pregnant women in hospitals.

Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath said he hopes the Government will only legislate for abortion in "limited cases" and he will examine and debate the proposed legislation when it is put forward. He said he will not be doing this "obstructively" because the people have voted. But he said he hoped any law that is passed will reflect the views of No voters as well.

Sunday Independent