Sir, - Father Kevin Hegarty's article on abortion (Rite and Reason, March 13th) would have carried much more weight if it had excluded the gratiously sly criticism of those who have laboured long and hard to ensure that abortion is not introduced in Ireland - "right wing Catholic activists who are always assiduous in reporting any perceived doctrinal or moral laxity to the Vatican".Can Father Hegarty guarantee that returning to the protection of the 1861 Act will not, as happened in America, permit the introduction of abortion here? As I understand it, the reason for the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution was to forestall this happening here.Of course it was rather difficult to anticipate that the Supreme Court could logically come to the conclusion that it did. That is still difficult to understand - though I suppose if we compare it to the American Supreme Court, which concluded that it was permissible to execute someone who was subsequently proved to be innocent of the crime for which they were convicted, provided they had had a fair trial, it is not so surprising.Certainly it is a valuable suggestion that a plan be drawn up to reduce the number of crisis pregnancies. For many years people involved in the Pro-Life Campaign have been advocating increased funding for this purpose. Funding was only given on the introduction of the Bill to make it easier to go to Britain for abortions!It will indeed be tragic if, seeing the havoc wrought by abortion in Britain and America, we follow suit. It's a big industry (much better financed than the Pro Life Campaign) with powerful allies (the UN, Bill Gates, etc.) and it will make every effort to introduce abortion here. Hopefully, all who are interested in promoting human rights in Ireland will work to ensure that this does not happen - in marked contrast to the UN advocating abortion as a human right! - Yours, etc.,Mrs Mary Stewart, Ardeskin, Donegal Town.