Calls for block on pregnant travellers

HEAVILY pregnant women should not be permitted to travel by air or sea to Ireland because of the health risk to both mother and baby, medical experts warned yesterday.

The masters of the country's three main maternity hospitals have called on the Government to impose travel restrictions on heavily pregnant women. Their request is in light of the number of "near death" situations many non-nationals are exposing themselves to in a desperate bid to have their baby here.

Master of the National Maternity Hospital at Holles Street, Dr Declan Keane, said there have been two cases recently where a woman delivered at Dublin port and another in the ambulance from the airport.