Time for live debate on assisted suicide

THE programme was going well until this guy, Philip Nitschke, popped up on the screen.

I had come across him before, seen him up close, and in my opinion he’s the type of individual one would be best advised to give a wide berth.

The programme in question was A Time To Die, Alan Gilsenan’s documentary on assisted suicide, or euthanasia, screened on RTÉ1 last Monday. As with much of Gilsenan’s work, it was a well-researched and documented effort to tackle an important issue. He interviewed a number of people who wished to be in the position to have assistance in taking their own life if they required it. Most of these people were in pain, and were fearful their terminal conditions would ultimately take their dignity. Another woman who was also in pain, but of the opinion that nobody should take their own life, was also interviewed. It was heartbreaking stuff.