U2 expresses support for campaign to repeal Ireland's abortion ban

Irish rock group has come out in support of the campaign to repeal Ireland's Eighth Amendment, which guarantees the right to life for the unborn.

In a tweet posted on Tuesday, the group encouraged Irish voters to participate in the referendum that is set to take place on May 25th. The social media post included a heart-shaped graphic that read "Repeal the 8th."

The band's guitarist, Dave "Edge" Evans, acknowledged that there is a "huge divergence of opinion" about the issue, but he stressed that he supports the repeal of the country's ban on abortions.

"It's hard to take a stance without acknowledging there's another side of it but I'm for it. I support Repeal," he said, as reported by the Irish Times.

The tweet has since garnered over 18,000 likes, but some fans have expressed disappointment about the band's stance on the issue.

"You were one of my favorite bands, and now one of my least favorite bands. Absolutely disgusting you would encourage the murder of millions of children. SHAME ON YOU," one commenter wrote, as reported by Christian News Network.

"This breaks my heart. I have loved and followed you for 20 years. I still love you, but I can't follow you down this road. My tickets to upcoming shows will go unused," another social media user remarked.

Lawmakers in Ireland are expected to introduce a legislation that would allow abortions up to 12 weeks if the amendment is repealed.

A recent poll, published in the Sunday Business Post, has shown that as many as 53 percent of Irish voters are in favor of repealing the amendment. However, the figure is reduced to 47 percent when the proposal to legalize abortions up to 12 weeks is included.

In contrast, the findings revealed that 26 percent oppose the repeal, but rises to 32 percent when the 12-week abortion ban is introduced.

Meanwhile, the Presbyterian Church in Ireland has urged its members to vote "No" in the upcoming referendum. In a letter to ministers and parishioners, the General Council stressed that "meaningful protection for the unborn can only be secured" if the Eighth Amendment remains in place.

The Church noted that there are "mixed views" among members regarding the Constitutional amendment, but it maintained that the proposal to allow unrestricted access to abortions up to 12 weeks would be "regressive, incompatible with human dignity and morally unacceptable."

Only half of a percent of Ireland's population identify as members of the Presbyterian Church. Around 80 percent of the nation's population belongs to the Catholic Church, which is also in favor of retaining the Eighth Amendment.