High Court hears legal submissions in case of pregnant woman on life support
The High Court has finished hearing legal submissions in the case of a pregnant woman who is on life support against the wishes of her family.
The mother of two, who is now 18 weeks pregnant, has been on life support for the last three weeks.
Doctors had expressed their concerns that ending her life would be in breach of the 8th amendment to the constitution.
Counsel for the father of the pregnant woman said the evidence is overwhelming that there is an expectation of the death of the foetus.
Lawyers for the HSE said the mother is entitled to dignity in death as she would have been in life. They further argued that doctors should be allowed to trust their clinical judgement.
The court heard legal argument over the interpretation of article 40.3.3 which guards the right to life of the unborn as well as the mother – as far as is practicable.
The court will give its judgement on Friday - St Stephen’s Day.
