Irish Examiner View: Society has long shied away from dealing with difficult end-of-lie issues

Earlier this week the High Court heard a case around an elderly man who has been in a psychiatric hospital for more than 30 years. His identity has never been established so no relatives or even friends have been identified. The man has a history of schizophrenia and dementia, along with cardiac and respiratory conditions. His condition is deteriorating so the HSE sought clarity on its options in the face of looming health issues.

That court heard another equally harrowing case yesterday when a mother declared her intention to seek High Court orders which would effectively result in the death of her daughter. Now aged in her late 20s, the younger woman has been in a vegetative state for almost 10 years. She suffered cardiac arrest or arrests when she was 18 arising, it is

believed, from an overdose of an illicit substance.

This society has long shied away from dealing with difficult end-of-life issues. These tragic cases may reopen that debate but it is not to our credit that such cruelties are not only possible but the only legal option available.