Woman takes Government to European courts over abortion ban

A WOMAN who was pregnant with twins, one a dead foetus, the other abnormal, is suing the Government for denying her the right to an abortion.

The woman, known only as D, has taken the unusual step of bypassing the Irish courts and going directly to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). If successful in her action, it could result in Ireland's constitutional ban on abortion being challenged by a European panel of judges.

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday it was the first action of its kind taken by an Irish woman in Europe, as far as she was aware. "One case was taken previously to the European Court, but that was in relation to information on abortion being made available. This is the first in terms of abortion."