Pastor Convicted Under "Buffer Zone" Law for Open-Air Sermon Near Hospital
Retired pastor Clive Johnston was convicted on 7 May 2026 at Coleraine Magistrates’ Court under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2023 for conducting an open-air Sunday service within a "buffer zone" outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine. The sermon did not refer to abortion or contain explicit pro-life messaging, but the court ruled that, given the location and surrounding circumstances, the conduct constituted a criminal offence.
Clive Johnston, a retired pastor and former President of the Association of Baptist Churches in Ireland, was found guilty in relation to events on 7 July 2024 outside Causeway Hospital in Coleraine, County Londonderry.
He had conducted an open-air religious service near the hospital, quoting passages from the Bible, including John 3:16, while standing close to a large crucifix and using a microphone. Police body-worn footage showed members of the group singing gospel hymns. It was not alleged that he mentioned abortion, displayed anti-abortion placards, or delivered an explicit pro-life speech.
Under the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Act 2023, certain conduct within designated buffer zones is criminalised where it is intended to influence, or is reckless as to whether it may influence, a “protected person” accessing abortion services.
The prosecution argued that, in light of the location of the service, the presence of the clinic, the cross, the hymns, and the broader context, the act amounted to an attempt to influence individuals accessing abortion services. It was contended that Johnston had chosen that specific location because of the clinic’s presence.
The court accepted that, taking into account the location and the surrounding circumstances, the legal threshold under the Safe Access Zones legislation had been met. He was found guilty on both counts and fined £450.
Following the conviction, Johnston described the ruling as a “dark day for Christian freedom.” He stated: “And yet the buffer zone legislation is so broad that holding a Sunday service has been found to be a criminal offence.” He also said: “If someone is out there causing trouble, stirring up violence, harassing or verbally attacking people, then, absolutely, go ahead and prosecute them. But I wasn’t doing any of those things as the police video shows and as everyone involved in this case accepts.”
Source: youtube, bbc.com, christian.org, itv.com
Photo: christian.org