Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney condemns DUP leader over abortion reform: ‘You lost’

‘Decency, compassion and solidarity WON’

Derry Girls star Siobham McSweeney (Rex Features)

Derry Girls star Siobhan McSweeney has called out politician Arlene Foster after the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader made a failed attempt to prevent the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland.

At midnight, abortion became legal in Northern Ireland following a landslide vote made by MPs in Westminster in July.

On Monday 21 October, several Northern Irish lawmakers gathered for an assembly at Stormont for the first time in almost three years in a last-minute attempt to prevent the ruling from coming into effect.

As Foster left the Stormont chamber following the DUP’s unsuccessful attempt, she said: “This is not the end of the matter. As far as this party is concerned, we will take every possible legal option open to us to try and stop [it].”

Cork-born McSweeney, who plays Sister Michael in 1990s-set sitcom Derry Girls, expressed her staunch opposition to Foster on Twitter.

“You are wrong. It IS over. You lost. Decency, compassion and solidarity WON,” McSweeney tweeted.

“Now p*** off, you grubby, greedy hypocrite. Don’t forget to claim your expenses.”

The actor concluded her tweeted with the hashtag: “#TheNorthIsNOW.”

In a further tweet, McSweeney expressed her joy over the landmark abortion and same-sex marriage rulings in Northern Ireland.

“It’s happened. We are now all real people. Our bodies are ours. Our love is legal. Our lives are better,” she wrote.

“Still a lot to do. But this should be a bit of hope in a hopeless time. And a reminder that taking to the streets, challenging power, and talking to our families makes CHANGE.”

Several of the actor’s Twitter followers were equally pleased at the historic legislation.

“None of this would be possible without people like yourself Siobhan. Thank you,” one person wrote.

“I am beyond thrilled. Such an important change, after so much struggle,” another said.

To read more about the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, click here.