Italian euthanasia advocates to set up sister branch in Ireland

Campaigners for legalised euthanasia and assisted suicide in Italy are planning to set up a sister organisation in Ireland as part of a strategy to force a Europe-wide change in law.

Exit-Italia founder Emilio Coveri, who was in Dublin yesterday, said he felt the time was right in Ireland for an organised lobby to open up debate on the subject.

The Italian group, which has almost 3,000 members, is following closely the case taken by Co Wicklow woman Marie Fleming, who has asked the State to allow her partner help her end her life without threat of prosecution.