Woman faces trial for alleged assisted suicide

A Dublin woman charged with assisting the suicide of another woman will go on trial in April next year.

Gail O’Rorke, aged 42, of Kilclare Gardens, Tallaght, is charged at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court with aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the suicide of Bernadette Forde between March 10 and June 6, 2011.

She is the first person in the State to be prosecuted under section 2 (2) of the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993.

Last month it emerged that her defence team has sought details from the Director of Public Prosecutions as to why a case was being taken.

Anne Rowland, defending, said on March 23 last the DPP had been asked to supply “criteria” for prosecution and, depending on the response, it may be necessary to start proceedings elsewhere.

Ms Rowland said she has received eight volumes of disclosure relating to the case.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring had adjourned the matter to yesterday adding that a trial date should be set as soon as possible.

Judge Ring set a trial date for April 13, 2015. The trial is scheduled to last for two to three weeks.

The accused must appear before the court on March 13 for a pre-trial hearing.