by CARL O’BRIEN
A WOMAN who is terminally ill with cancer says she was forced to travel to Britain for an abortion earlier this year despite her life-threatening illness.
Michelle Harte (39), Ardamine, Co Wexford, said doctors at Cork University Hospital – where she was being treated for cancer – advised her to terminate the pregnancy because of the risks to her health.
However, she says an ethics forum at the hospital decided against authorising an abortion for her in Ireland on the basis that her life was not under “immediate threat”.
Ms Harte said she waited for about two weeks for a decision from the ethics forum, while difficulties in arranging travel contributed to a further three-week delay.
“I couldn’t believe the decision [to refuse an abortion in Ireland] when it came,” she said.
“Apparently, my life wasn’t at immediate risk. It just seemed absolutely ridiculous.”
Ms Harte, a former nurse from London, said her condition worsened significantly during this time and she was not able to receive cancer treatment because she was pregnant.
Abortion is legal in Ireland in circumstances where the life of the mother is at risk.
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