Anti-abortion group paid for Mattie McGrath to visit US

An anti-abortion group paid for Independent TD Mattie McGrath to travel to the US last year to “attend meetings and functions”.

Mr McGrath confirmed Family and Life, an anti-abortion organisation based in Dublin, paid for his trip.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Mr McGrath said he was “very busy” on the trip and visited New York and Washington.

He said: “It was a very educational visit. I learned a lot. It was focused on family values and pro-life values.

“We met a number of congressmen who shared our position. I was under no obligation to declare it but I have no difficulty in confirming I was there.”

Family and Life has been in operation since 1996 and argues against abortion in any circumstances.

In 2013, it took 10 Irish politicians to New York City and Washington, DC, on an anti-abortion fact-finding missing.

Mr McGrath was also present on that trip, but he says he was the only TD to have travelled on this occasion.

Independent TD ‘attended meetings and functions’ during trip funded by Family and Life