Irish inquest into Indian woman's death
Source: AFP |
April 8, 2013, Monday
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Print Edition
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IRELAND'S strict abortion laws will come under scrutiny today at the inquest into the death of a pregnant Indian woman who was allegedly denied a termination.
Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist originally from India, died in Galway University Hospital, on the west coast of Ireland, in October.
Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant and was miscarrying when she attended the hospital complaining of back pain on October 21.
Her husband Praveen said his wife, a Hindu, repeatedly requested a termination of the pregnancy but the appeal was refused because there was still a foetal heartbeat and because Ireland "is a Catholic country".
Halappanavar is believed to have died of septicaemia, or blood poisoning, on October 28 - five days after the foetus was removed when its heartbeat stopped.
The inquest at the Galway court will try to determine exactly what caused her death.
Inquests are legal hearings held in some countries including Ireland into sudden or unexplained deaths. They do not apportion blame.
India has called on Irish authorities to ensure a "transparent" probe into Halappanavar's death.
Irish police have compiled statements from more than 50 witnesses, a number of whom are set to appear at the inquest along with expert witnesses. The hearing is set for a week.
At a preliminary hearing in January, coroner Ciaran McLoughlin promised an independent, open and prompt inquest.
Praveen Halappanavar, a 34-year-old engineer at Boston Scientific in Galway, has so far refused to cooperate with two reviews into his wife's death.
He is said to be unhappy with the draft conclusions of a report by the Health Service Executive, the state body responsible for the health service in Ireland.
Ireland's abortion laws have been the subject of intense debate for years.
Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist originally from India, died in Galway University Hospital, on the west coast of Ireland, in October.
Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant and was miscarrying when she attended the hospital complaining of back pain on October 21.
Her husband Praveen said his wife, a Hindu, repeatedly requested a termination of the pregnancy but the appeal was refused because there was still a foetal heartbeat and because Ireland "is a Catholic country".
Halappanavar is believed to have died of septicaemia, or blood poisoning, on October 28 - five days after the foetus was removed when its heartbeat stopped.
The inquest at the Galway court will try to determine exactly what caused her death.
Inquests are legal hearings held in some countries including Ireland into sudden or unexplained deaths. They do not apportion blame.
India has called on Irish authorities to ensure a "transparent" probe into Halappanavar's death.
Irish police have compiled statements from more than 50 witnesses, a number of whom are set to appear at the inquest along with expert witnesses. The hearing is set for a week.
At a preliminary hearing in January, coroner Ciaran McLoughlin promised an independent, open and prompt inquest.
Praveen Halappanavar, a 34-year-old engineer at Boston Scientific in Galway, has so far refused to cooperate with two reviews into his wife's death.
He is said to be unhappy with the draft conclusions of a report by the Health Service Executive, the state body responsible for the health service in Ireland.
Ireland's abortion laws have been the subject of intense debate for years.
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