Pro-choice group 'shocked' as Irish women forced to cancel assisted-suicide trip

Pro-choice grop Exit International Ireland has described as "shocking" the case of two Irish women who tried to travel to Switzerland for assisted suicide, but learned they could be liable for prosecution if they did so and then cancelled their plans.

The women, one of whom is in the final stage of multiple sclerosis, had booked flights to Switzerland

and were due to attend the Dignitas clinic.

However, gardaí became aware of their plans and the women were forced to cancel their trip when they learned they could be prosecuted if they availed of the assisted-suicide services available at the clinic.

Assisted suicide is a criminal offence in Ireland. Anyone found guilty of the offence could face up to 14 years in prison.

Tom Curran from Exit International Ireland is calling on the Government to take action. He said that help should be made available to "rational people that decide that their terminal illness is no longer something that they can tolerate", and that "they should get assistance to hasten the end of their life".