Ireland Promises 'Clarity' on Abortion After Woman's Death

Ireland's government today promised to bring "legal clarity" to the nation's strict anti-abortion laws after an Indian woman's high-profile death, reports Reuters. Savita Halappanavar, 31, died of blood poisoning in a Galway hospital after doctors refused her request to terminate her failing pregnancy. They said they had no choice after detecting a faint fetal heartbeat, prompting widespread criticism at home and abroad.

"I don't think as a country we should allow a situation where women's rights are put at risk in this way," said the deputy prime minister. "We need to bring legal clarity to this issue and that is what we are going to do." In India, Halappanavar's mother called for quick change, reports the Irish Times. “In an attempt to save a four-month-old fetus they killed my …. daughter," she said. "How is that fair you tell me?" (More Ireland stories.)