Health board ‘seeks court approval’ for abortion

A HEALTH BOARD is understood to have sought approval from a district court that would allow a teenager who became pregnant in its care to travel to Britain for an abortion.

A hearing took place yesterday in Killucan District Court, in Co Westmeath, but reporters were asked to leave following an application by a solicitor for the Midlands Health Board, citing child welfare legislation.

However, the health board has been criticised by anti-abortion campaigners for not divulging information about the case.

Legally, the subject of a childcare order cannot leave the State without the court’s permission.

The teenager at the centre of the health board scandal was in care in Britain at the time she became pregnant because there was no suitable facility for her. She was 13 years old. The girl, now 14, is believed to be almost 23 weeks pregnant.

An abortion has to take place before a foetus is 23 weeks and six days old.

The girl’s mother has been quoted as saying her daughter believes an abortion is the only option and she was 100% behind the decision.

It has already been reported that the girl was assessed by a MHB psychiatrist earlier this week and said she did not wish to continue with the pregnancy.

A spokesperson for the MHB last night refused to comment.

Anti-abortion campaigner Cora Sherlock described as “outrageous that any health board would contemplate facilitating a late-term abortion, at a stage in pregnancy when other babies have been born prematurely and survived”.

Ms Sherlock, spokesperson for Pro-Life Campaign, added: “Everybody accepts that the anonymity of the minor at the centre of the tragic case must be protected.

“However, it is entirely unacceptable for the Midland Health Board to then use this as a smokescreen for avoiding answering legitimate questions about the case. If an abortion is being considered the public is entitled to know the rationale being used to justify it.”

There were claims this week that a second teenager was pregnant after having sex while in the care of another health board.

Earlier this year, the East Coast Area Health Board and the South Eastern Health Board admitted they had taken two teenagers in their care to have abortions abroad since the referendum to limit abortion here was defeated in 2002.