Jessen survived a saline abortion when she was 7 months in utero. Despite her cerebral palsy, which she has described as a gift and is a legacy of the abortion, Gianna has traveled the world with her powerful testimony.

Ultrasound, the pro-life student network formed by Irish pro-life group Youth Defence, were delighted when Gianna agreed to undertake a tour of Irish colleges. Bookings and arrangements were made and materials printed and distributed in Ireland's largest universities.

Though she received a warm welcome at other educational institutions, Ultrasound says "powerful forces in Ireland's largest university were determined to prevent students at University College Dublin (UCD) from hearing her testimony."

UCD officials told the pro-life group they had to provide insurance for the event, which they arranged. But on the morning of Jessen's visit, UCD informed the group the insurance was not sufficient and that the event must be canceled.

Ultrasound contacted insurance agencies in a last minute attempt to meet UCD's requirements and found that none of the companies had policies covering UCD's demands, which included high risk coverage for an event that they allege could have caused security concerns.

"This sort of insurance has never before been demanded by UCD to allow a speaker and it would seem that this obstacle was raised to prevent Ms Jessen's story being heard," the group said.

"Universities are meant to be places of discussion and learning; it is to UCD's shame that they effectively banned this young woman and her amazing story," the group added in a statement provided to LifeNews.com.

Contact Dr. Hugh Brady at the UCD President's Office at resident@ucd.ie and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, TD (Head of State) at taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie .

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