Deadline for establishment of public inquiry into Savita's death
Praveen Halappanavar is calling time on the Government as today is the deadline he set for the establishment of a public inquiry into his wife Savita's death.
Her death from blood poisoning, after having a miscarriage a month ago in Galway, has been marked by her friends and family this week.
Her widower has said he does not trust the HIQA and HSE inquiries already established, and has threatened to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.
Europe would take the case, under the European Convention for Human Rights, if there is a risk the existing investigations will not uncover how Savita died, and whether the State bears some responsibility.
Conor O'Mahoney, a lecturer in constitutional law at UCC, has said the Government could use the Commissions of Enquiry legislation to set up a public inquiry.
This is the same legislation used to establish the child abuse inquiries.
Mr O'Mahoney said it would be quicker and cheaper than other options, but still public.
He said: "The complaint being made is that the investigations that are being proposed don't meet those criteria.
"So what he would have to do, if he is to follow through on this, would be to make an application to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg setting out in detail why it is the investigation being proposed fails to meet those standards.
"Then it will be up to the courts to adjudicate on that and to make a declaration as to whether or not the State has complied with its obligations."
