VOTERS in Ireland have rejected a change in the country’s constitution that would have broadened the definition of family and removed language about a woman’s role in the home, according to results announced today.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar conceded defeat on Saturday as the two constitutional amendments he supported were headed towards rejection.

Mr Varadkar, who had framed the vote as about removing old-fashioned language and advancing gender equality, said that voters had delivered “two wallops” to the government in a referendum with 44 per cent turnout.