'Dead' Pregnant Woman Can Be Allowed to Die: Court

Ireland's High Court tells doctors they may withdraw life support in controversial case
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 26, 2014 6:42 AM CST
'Dead' Pregnant Woman Can Be Allowed to Die: Court
A Nov. 17, 2012 photo shows several thousand abortion rights protesters marching through Dublin, demanding that Ireland's government ensures that abortions can be performed to save a woman's life.   (AP Photo/Shawn Pogatchnik, File)

Ireland's High Court decided today that life support can be withdrawn from a pregnant woman who is clinically dead. Doctors in the controversial case recently asked the court for such a decision after determining the fetus is "doomed," and today the court agreed, with the justice who issued the decision saying it was "in the best interest of the unborn child." The family of the woman, who was declared dead at 15 weeks pregnant on Dec. 3, wants to lay her to rest, but advocates for the unborn wanted life support to continue. They, however, will not appeal the court's decision, the Journal reports. (More Ireland stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X