Halapanavar case distorted debate on abortion

Michael Clifford (Forum, Oct 12) accused both camps in the abortion debate of distorting Savita Halappanavar’s case for their own purposes.

He failed to state unambiguously that inability to access abortion was not the primary cause of Mrs Halappanavar’s death, according to HIQA. Rather, the tragedy occurred as a result of ineffective medical care. Hence, the absence of European-style abortion laws in Ireland was not an issue. By protecting both mother and foetus up to this year, Irish law gave value to all human life.

Our parliament passing the ironically titled ‘Protection of Life During Pregnancy’ Bill has meant that all human life in Ireland has been devalued. It is likely only a matter of time before foetuses with disabilities or lives of the elderly are subject to discussion, with emotive personal stories fodder in these debates.