Special Report - Euthanasia

Euthanasia is a crime in Ireland, but there is growing support for a more liberal legal regime, says Dan Buckley.

Both euthanasia and assisted suicide are illegal in Ireland. Under the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993, it is an offence to aid, abet, counsel or procure the suicide or attempted suicide of another person.

The maximum penalty for this offence is 14 years in jail. In practice, this criminal prohibition relates to active euthanasia where the person is helped take their own lives.