Rotunda Master before Eighth committee

Irish doctors should be allowed to perform abortions in cases of “fatal or complex foetal abnormalities” without the threat of being sent to jail, says the head of one of Ireland’s biggest maternity hsopitals.

Master of the Rotunda Hospital, Fergal Malone, will give his opinion to the Dáil’s Eighth Amendment committee today during a meeting which will also hear from his Holles Street counterpart, Rhona Mahony.

In an opening statement to the committee, seen by the Irish Examiner, Prof Malone will stress that he does not want to be seen as either pro-choice or anti-abortion, as any labels may limit his future patients’ trust in him.