The correct decision

The High Court decision to facilitate a clinically-dead pregnant woman being taken off life support brings some sort of conclusion to what was a tragic, heart-rending situation for all involved, especially for the family of the unfortunate woman.

It, however, will not bring closure.

It is not an exaggeration to say that the woman’s plight, and that of her family and her unborn child, was felt right across the country with great, heartfelt sympathy and a considerable degree of hurt that the conclusions of our legislative process were again found wanting at such a critical moment. Where there should have been compassion and clarity our laws, or uncertainty around the meaning of those laws, brought about what many will regard as an episode of almost unforgivable, unnecessary cruelty.

It is to be welcomed too that the decision will not be appealed to the Supreme Court because prolonging this tragedy would be beyond cruel. Like it or not the episode pushes the fog around the law and pregnancy back to the top of the political agenda. It simply cannot be dodged again.