Dublin will introduce legislation to allow abortions in Irish hospitals when the mother’s life is at risk, a highly controversial move that faces stiff opposition from church groups.
Ireland’s cabinet took the decision on Tuesday following several weeks of public pressure following the death last October of a pregnant woman in Galway, who was refused repeated requests for an abortion while she was suffering a miscarriage.
She died of septicemia three days after requesting an abortion.
The Irish government has decided to introduce a combination of legislation and regulations to remove legal uncertainty over exactly when doctors can perform an abortion when a woman’s life is at risk.