So, a gentle rap on the knuckles then for the health staff who let dentist die

[grimbletart]

[www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/11/savita-halappavanar-abortion-ireland-medical-team-disciplined]

No big deal apparently.

Sorry, link fail.
www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/11/savita-halappavanar-abortion-ireland-medical-team-disciplined

Just horrifying. So disappointing but sadly, not surprising!

The remaining nine were given limited sanctions that amount to written warnings.

I just don't even know what to say to that

I wonder whether the key is in the last paragraph:

Praveen Halappanavar still intends to take a civil action over his wife's death against Ireland's Health Service Executive and Savita's obstetrician, Katherine Astbury

If the medical staff received more than a slap on the wrist then the Health Service would effectively be admitting that their staff were responsible for Ms Halappanavar's death and that might effect the outcome of the civil case, possibly? Or is that too cynical?

I'm sure that plays into it.
There's a general feeling over here that they also don't want to be sued by the doctors themselves or open themselves up to criticism.

There's some who think (and I know many on here disagree) that the failure of the state to address the x case decision and put legislation in place meant that doctors in Ireland were put in a position where they themselves had to interpret and define the law. And many feel that the uncertainty in the legislation (the law has been clear since the x case yet successive governments have failed to legislate for it) meant that doctors were left uncertain as to whether they may face legal sanctions if they carried out an avortion.
So if the HSE were to punish them in the harsh way which this death deserves the doctors could very well shine the spot light back on the HSE practices and the government in action.
By going lightly the doctors will probably keep quiet and move on and as you say it protects their civil liability ahead of that matter.

I'm not excusing the doctors by the way, I don't know nearly enough about medicine, abortions or best practice to even attempt to do so.
Just posting another theory/explanation that I've heard as to why there would be reluctance to punish the doctors or highlight the individuals involved.