London/New Delhi: Rising global outrage over the tragic death of 31-year-old Indian dentist Savita Halappanavar forced the Irish government to respond on Friday. Ireland’s deputy prime minister, Eamon Gilmore, conveyed to the Indian ambassador in Dublin, Debashish Chakravarti, the Irish people’s “very strong feelings” and “sense of grief ” over Savita’s death. He also told a press conference that the Irish government would introduce guidelines on abortion in the country’s parliament.
Earlier on Friday, the external affairs ministry had summoned Irish ambassador Feilim McLaughlin over the issue. Sources said that secretary (west) M Ganapathi conveyed to the ambassador “concern and angst in Indian society about the untimely and tragic death”, and also New Delhi’s wish for a free and fair probe into the incident.
Though Gilmore made no direct reference to the Irish ambassador to India being summoned, he did say he had asked Chakravarti to communicate to “the wider public in India” Ireland's feelings and sense of grief. He also gave assurances of “full co-operation” with the Halappanavar family to determine the circumstances of Savita's demise.
“Although we will not know the full details (of the Savita case) until the investigation has been completed, we have heard what Savita's husband said and as legislators we have a duty and a responsibility to respond, act and deal with the issue,” he said.
Irish health minister James Reilly added that the Halappanavar family was being consulted before the terms of reference for an inquiry by Ireland’s health authorities are finalised.
Savita, who had migrated to Ireland from Karnataka in 2008, was 17 weeks pregnant when she was apparently denied a life-saving abortion at a hospital in Galway, south Ireland. She was reportedly told, “This is a Catholic country.” Staff at the hospital said they had detected a foetal heartbeat, though they are said to have admitted the baby would not survive. Savita died of blood poisoning on October 27.
There are countless tales, spread over decades, of young Irish women crossing the Irish Sea to England or driving to Northern Ireland (which is British territory), if in need of termination of a pregnancy, because they cannot lawfully undergo this at home. However, Savita's death has sparked a spontaneous outpouring of public outrage in Ireland. Pro-choice protestors are organising a rally in Dublin on Saturday.
Earlier on Friday, the external affairs ministry had summoned Irish ambassador Feilim McLaughlin over the issue. Sources said that secretary (west) M Ganapathi conveyed to the ambassador “concern and angst in Indian society about the untimely and tragic death”, and also New Delhi’s wish for a free and fair probe into the incident.
Though Gilmore made no direct reference to the Irish ambassador to India being summoned, he did say he had asked Chakravarti to communicate to “the wider public in India” Ireland's feelings and sense of grief. He also gave assurances of “full co-operation” with the Halappanavar family to determine the circumstances of Savita's demise.
“Although we will not know the full details (of the Savita case) until the investigation has been completed, we have heard what Savita's husband said and as legislators we have a duty and a responsibility to respond, act and deal with the issue,” he said.
Irish health minister James Reilly added that the Halappanavar family was being consulted before the terms of reference for an inquiry by Ireland’s health authorities are finalised.
Savita, who had migrated to Ireland from Karnataka in 2008, was 17 weeks pregnant when she was apparently denied a life-saving abortion at a hospital in Galway, south Ireland. She was reportedly told, “This is a Catholic country.” Staff at the hospital said they had detected a foetal heartbeat, though they are said to have admitted the baby would not survive. Savita died of blood poisoning on October 27.
There are countless tales, spread over decades, of young Irish women crossing the Irish Sea to England or driving to Northern Ireland (which is British territory), if in need of termination of a pregnancy, because they cannot lawfully undergo this at home. However, Savita's death has sparked a spontaneous outpouring of public outrage in Ireland. Pro-choice protestors are organising a rally in Dublin on Saturday.
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