Irish abortion debate inflamed by pregnant woman's death

Mr. Kenny's conservative Fine Gael party is overwhelmingly anti-abortion, whereas the junior coalition partner, the center-left Labour party, is largely, though not entirely, pro-choice.

An avoidable tragedy?

Ireland's abortion laws are among the strictest in Europe, with only Malta's absolute ban more forthright. However, medical experts agree that Irish law allowed for a termination in Halappanavar's case.

Patricia Casey, professor of psychiatry at University College Dublin and consultant psychiatrist at Dublin's Mater Misericordiae hospital, says terminations go back several decades.

"It [the legal situation] is not confused at all," she says. "Even when I was an intern 25 years ago, women who had life-threatening pregnancies would have terminations, usually by induced labor."

"These are textbook scenarios. There is no moral issue about terminating a pregnancy in these circumstances," she says.

Prof. Casey, who opposes abortion, also says if a termination was refused on religious grounds, those responsible will have to answer.

"What we need to do is find out what went wrong in this case – and if someone did say 'you can't be saved because of a heartbeat,' or 'because Ireland is a Catholic country,' then there is the potential for a malpractice suit."

But Gerry Rafferty, consultant obstetrician at Mount Carmel Hospital in Dublin, told Newstalk radio in Ireland that while obstetricians in Ireland do perform terminations in cases where the patient is obviously unable to carry to term, the lack of case law means doctors are afraid to make decisions in more ambiguous circumstances, fearing being convicted of unlawful killing.

"Patients should know what they're entitled to. Doctors should know what they're entitled to do," he said. "The Supreme Court has made a decision on the [1992] X Case. Just let us know what we can and cannot do. We don't know where the gray areas are."

Health Minister James Reilly told parliament he found it unlikely "moral or religious beliefs" were involved in treatment not being offered to Halappanavar, and if it transpires that this was the case, it "would be a very serious matter." Dr. Reilly, a medical doctor, said if a miscarriage is likely, it is often the view of medical staff that allowing it to occur naturally is the safest option.

Nonetheless, pro-choice campaigners marched on the Irish parliament. More than 2,000 people assembled at 6 p.m., many with candles and placards, blocking streets. Simultaneous protests and vigils were called in other Irish cities and outside the Irish embassy in London. A further protest is scheduled for Dublin on Saturday.

Caroline Simons, legal adviser to Pro Life Campaign, cautioned against speculation.

"The difficulty is we know so little about the case. We just don't know the full story. Miscarriages occur routinely and we've never had a case like this before. Serious questions need to be asked," she says.

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