Health official ‘fears there could be other cases’

A leading health official in the west said that the investigation into the Savita Halappanavar tragedy must quickly establish if it is an isolated case.

Cllr Padraig Conneely, chairman of the HSE West forum, said there was a fear there may have been other cases that have not come into the public domain.

The former mayor of Galway said the death of Ms Halappanavar had caused widespread shock.

“There are so many aspects of this case which are disturbing and one of them is to establish if this is an isolated case or have there been others, perhaps not with such tragic consequences.

“We must not forget for a moment that the only reason that this case has come into the public domain is because her husband has highlighted it.

“Have there been other cases? How prevalent is this and why wasn’t an investigation launched and announced when she died?

“Investigations are now being launched, but only after this poor woman’s husband brought it into the public domain. That is just not good enough.”

Cllr Conneely said he would be raising the matter at the forum he chairs and would be demanding to know why the matter was not addressed earlier.

“You have to wonder when would this matter be addressed if the woman’s family didn’t take it upon themselves to highlight the awful sequence of events.

“If it is an isolated case then the public needs to know that and be reassured. If it is not then there are many more matters to be considered and dealt with.”

A candlelight vigil in memory of Savita Halappanavar will take place in Galway at 5pm on Saturday.

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