Nephew had ‘no problem’ with helping aunt’s suicide

The trial of a woman accused of assisting her friend’s suicide has heard the deceased’s nephew had “no problem” helping her travel to a euthanasia clinic in Switzerland.

Bernard Forde Monaghan told the trial that his aunt, Bernadette Forde, 51, who suffered from a severe form of multiple sclerosis, wanted to end her life on her own terms and that nobody could have persuaded her to change her mind.

Mr Forde Monaghan said he was asked by the accused, Gail O’Rorke, to travel with them to Dignitas. He told the court

he had no problem helping but that he did not know when it was going to happen. The trial heard the plan to go to Zurich was interrupted when the travel agent alerted gardaí.

Ms O’Rorke, who was a friend and carer to Ms Forde, is accused at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of helping her commit suicide by helping her obtain and take a lethal drug after the failed attempt to travel to Dignitas.

Ms O’Rorke, who was a friend and carer to Ms Forde, pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aiding and abetting the suicide of Ms Forde on various dates.

Mr Forde Monaghan told prosecuting counsel Remy Farrell SC that his aunt first brought up Dignitas after the death from cancer of her sister Marcena Forde in 2010.

“She wanted to go on her own terms,” he said. “She said she didn’t want people looking after her the way Marcena was looked after. She didn’t want men to be bathing her or dressing her.”

He agreed with Anne Rowland, defending, Ms Forde she was a very “straight up, determined person” who wanted everything in its right place.

He said he saw Ms O’Rorke as a warm, humorous, caring person who confided and had a laugh with Ms Forde.

The trial, which is expected to last about two weeks, continues before Judge Patrick McCartan and a jury of six men and six women.

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