Did anyone see this story about the pregnant 17yo in Ireland?

[TheArmadillo]

She is 4 months pregnant but scans have shown that the foetus is suffering from anencephaly and drs say it is not going to survive more than a few days after birth

She was refused an abortion in IReland on the basis her health would not suffer and she was not found to be suicidal.

She has just been told that the police cannot stop her from leaving the country to get an abortion. Before this she was told she would be prevented from leaving and would have to carry till full term. However the case still continues so she still may not be able to travel.

This must be a horrible situation for her to be in. SUrely it should be her choice. Yes they don't allow abortions on the grounds of foetal abnormality but surely she should be free to travel to another country in order to get it done.

Poor girl. IT must be a terribly hard descision to make without it going to court

IRish police cannot stop girl leaving for abortion

How cruel that they even considered making that poor girl go through that, let alone the awful few days that baby would have suffered (and she would have suffered watching her baby die.)

Its the law though - and the Irish people voted for it in a referendum so its the will of the people. The only thing that has complicated this is the fact that she was under a care order. Other than that she could have gone without anyone knowing.

Back in court today, five different legal teams in legal argument on a bank holiday! And an election 2 weeks away. Poor 17 year old is becoming an issue, had she not been in care she'd have things sorted last week. (Her mother is backing her, but was 'unable to cope' with parenting, her boyfriend and his mother are helping her to get through.

on Radio 4 the other day an Irish politician was saying it is not illegal for irish citizens to travel to the uk for abortion

also she said irish protestants are opposed to abortion

it was very interesting

StyleCouncil. The thing is, if a woman has been seen by a GP and/or midwife, and had scans etc. 'people' will know.

And, I wonder, are these people legally obliged to tell the authorities if they know that a woman is planning to travel abroad for an abortion?

The complication is that the girl/young woman is in care. If she was in the care of her family or was over 18 she would be free to travel. It has gone to court, I think, because the social services want to clarify their position if she travels. In the high court today the judge has said he wil give his opinion on Wednesday evening. The Irish constitution supports the right to life of the unborn, a referendum a few years ago did not alter it and it was a very divisive time socially. None of the political parties seem willing to return to the issue - there is a general election, but the case is sub judice. These cases arise every few years - previously the right for women to travel and the right to information have been upheld. In this case the woman has a state agency in loco parentis and they can't act against the state without legal clarification.

what is the Irish stance on ectopic pregnancies does anyone know?

The health and safety of the mother takes priority, so I think an ectopic pregnancy can be ended by a medical procedure.(!) i am not a lawyer though, that is just my understanding, and I have never heard of any case involving ectopics. By the way, the laws in Northern Ireland are very similar to the republic. 'Going to England' is an Irish solution to an Irish problem in a lot of cases.

Just wanted to let you all know that MIss D has been allowed to travel by the Supreme Court. Common sense has prevailed.

good.

Feel very sorry for her, and she should not have to go through a bloody court case to be allowed to do something that she never wanted to do in the first place (iykwim)

On the ectopic pregnancy question - it is not a viable pregnancy and therefore does not fall under our current legislation. the womans health would not be comprimised in this situation.

The whole cased pinned on her being in care and under the age of 18.

Interestingly I read today an 11 year old girl is not allowed to leave England for an arranged marriage. I suppose if we have 'protection laws' they get exercised. It must be time for another referendum here....