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17th Jan 2019

Irish woman refused abortion following fatal foetal diagnosis, TD says

Rudi Kinsella

Abortion denied Ruth Coppinger

Ruth Coppinger has brought the issue to the Dáil.

The Dáil has heard that a woman who was 14 weeks pregnant carrying a baby with a fatal foetal abnormality was denied an abortion at The Coombe Hospital in Dublin.

TD Ruth Coppinger raised the issue on Thursday morning.

Coppinger said that doctors confirmed a fatal foetal abnormality but the board at the hospital subsequently refused the abortion.

“I’ve been contacted by a woman who has a fatal foetal abnormality, that has been certified by two consultants, and now it appears that the board of the Coombe Hospital, is refusing her constitutional right that we all voted for, to have an abortion at a time she chooses,” said Coppinger.

“Instead, they have told her that she must wait another four weeks to see if there’s a spontaneous miscarriage.

“This is precisely the case that was brought to national attention, that led to pressure and demands for repeal of the eighth amendment.

“At 13 weeks, this woman went for her 12-week scan. They could clearly see at that point that the organs of the foetus were outside the body.”

Tánaiste Simon Coveney responded to this by saying:

“This case needs to be dealt with appropriately in hospital and not on the floor of the Dáil.”

Coppinger also took to Twitter to highlight the issue.

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