European court is an option, says lawyer

The Government must set up an independent public inquiry, which may include strict time and budget limits to prevent a repeat of the tribunal excesses, if it wants to stop Savita Halappanavar’s death being investigated at European level.

The solicitor for widower Praveen Halappanavar made the claim to the Irish Examiner after confirming his client will not take part in the Health Information Quality Authority’s (Hiqa) inquiry into his wife’s death.

The move has resulted in Ireland opening two official investigations into the case, neither of which have the support or involvement of Mrs Halappanavar’s family.