The Pro-Deathers Push In ireland

The pro-deathers heat up the assisted suicide/euthanasia debate in Ireland.

Right-to-die campaigner won't face charges over suicide

AN Irish assisted-suicide campaigner will not face prosecution over his visit to an elderly multiple sclerosis sufferer (MS) who took a fatal overdose to end her life because there is "insufficient evidence".

Tom Curran, who says he will risk up to 14 years in an Irish prison to assist his partner Marie Fleming -- also a MS sufferer -- to die at a time of her choosing, was interviewed by British police following the death of a wheelchair-bound grandmother of five. Ann Veasey (71) died in August 2011 at her nursing home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, after she overdosed on pills she had bought online from China. more

The Irish Make The Pro-Death Argument

Here’s a piece in the tank for the pro-deathers, but it occurred to me that we need to do more on our side to counter what are very powerful arguments.

Jenny's story demands we open debate on euthanasia

Euthanasia is now rarely not in the news. I've written of it before and make no apology for doing so again. This week in a moving, honest and compelling interview with this paper, Co Down woman Jenny Grainger told of her mother Barbara's wish to end her life rather than face the imprisonment of motor neurone disease - and of Jenny's and her family's 'assistance' in the 75-year-old's death.

The sorry, sad state of Barbara Grainger's ending of her own life is not that she did it but rather the manner in which she was forced to do so. A manner which left her dangling - because of self-enforced starvation - for 24 days between this and the next world.

She was left in a limbo of sorts, because as a society we refuse to address fully and coherently the subject of the inalienable right of a person who has lived a life - to fulfillment in their eyes - but who is now terminally ill and wants to end that life. more

Irish Media Don't Want Debate, They Want Death

Ireland: Here we go: The pro-death media, already in the tank for medicalized legal killing, are calling for a “debate.” Puhleeze. A debate implies that there are two opposing sides of what is to be debated. This is not the case with most of the media – their only side is the pro-death side, no matter what.

Editor's Viewpoint: Assisted suicide laws need debate

Anyone reading our reports today on the Holywood woman who starved herself to death because she felt it was a better option than waiting to die from motor neurone disease must be moved by her daughter's emotional account of her last days.

The lady in question knew that she could legally refuse to take food or fluids and signed a document asking for her wishes to be respected, showing that she was of sound mind and determined to die as she saw fit. more

Ireland Assisted Suicide Debate Heats Up

Here’s more on the current assisted suicide debate in Ireland.

Right to die raises serious questions

The decision by the woman bringing a case against the State challenging the law on assisted suicide to give up her right to anonymity is likely to spark increased debate on this highly-emotive issue.

It was not until 1993 that suicide was decriminalised in this country. However, the ban on assisting another person to commit suicide remains in force and anyone who is found guilty of breaching that ban can be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison. While the Supreme Court ruled in 1995 that a woman who had been in a persistent vegetative state for 20 years had the right to die a dignified and natural death, including the withdrawal of medical treatment, there are no indications that the court would strike down the legal ban on assisted suicide. more

Ireland's Debby Purdy Makes The Case For Medicalized Killing

Irishwoman Marie Fleming is taking a page out of Debby Purdy’s arguments to push for legalizing assisted sucide in Ireland.

Dearbhail Mc Donald: Courts facing tough task on issue of euthanasia

IT is impossible not to be moved by the plight of Marie Fleming, who is in the terminal stages of multiple sclerosis.

Wheelchair-bound, she registered five years ago with Dignitas, the controversial clinic in Zurich, Switzerland, where terminally ill but competent patients are allowed to die under the supervision of doctors.

But Marie opted not to end her life in Zurich as her partner of more than 20 years, Tom Curran, vowed that he would help her die at home.

If Curran, Fleming's full- time carer, accedes to her wishes, he faces a jail term of up to 14 years -- or life if convicted of murder -- for assisting her suicide.

It is a price Mr Curran is willing to pay.

The peace of mind Marie now seeks is that he can do so without fear of prosecution. more

Irish Couple To Challenge Assisted Suicide Laws

The pro-deathers challenge to the law comes to Ireland.

Wicklow couple to challenge assisted suicide laws

It is reported that a landmark challenge to Ireland's assisted suicide laws will be lodged in the High Court next month. 

Reports in today's Sunday Times and Sunday Business Post said the case is being taken by a Wicklow woman, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and her husband. more