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Former Tyrone GAA captain says she will vote DUP over abortion

Former captain of the Tyrone GAA ladies team Lisa O'Hare.
Former captain of the Tyrone GAA ladies team Lisa O'Hare. Former captain of the Tyrone GAA ladies team Lisa O'Hare.

A former captain of the Tyrone GAA ladies team has said she'll consider voting for the DUP because of changes to abortion legislation.

Lisa O'Hare said she can no longer vote for Sinn Féin or the SDLP because she does not agree with their stance on changes to Northern Ireland's abortion laws.

Legislation brought in by MPs at Westminster earlier this year means abortion will be decriminalised in the North if devolution is not restored by October 21.

Earlier this week guidelines were introduced for health professionals dealing with the legislative change.

Speaking to BBC's The View programme Ms O'Hare said: "As an Irish Catholic who places God at the centre of my home and my heart we don't have anyone who represents our views.

Adding she is now looking "beyond the normal tribal differences and religious differences ... the DUP is the only party in Stormont who seem to be opposing these laws".

Mrs O'Hare, who captained the Tyrone ladies team to Ulster final glory in 2000, said she has grave concerns about changes voted through at Westminster.

"We've seen from the guidelines published this week that this is about targeting the most vulnerable in society," she said

"As the mother of a son with Down's Syndrome, the idea that he has been set apart as someone who is less valuable to society is abhorrent to me.

"Every life is precious and shouldn't be judged on health, well being or social circumstance," she added.