A senior midwife has apologised after admitting she told Savita Halappanavar that she could not have a termination in Ireland because of Catholic influence.

A key witness in the investigation into the death of Savita Halappanavar will take the stand today as contradictory evidence emerged about requests for her pregnancy to be terminated.

A friend of Savita Halappanavar has backed up claims that the young dentist was told abortion was not an option because of Catholic teaching.

A midwife has been called to give evidence at Savita Halappanavar's inquest over an alleged comment that her pregnancy could not be terminated because 'it was a Catholic thing'.