Tragic father urges abortion law reforms in Ireland

In a direct appeal to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, grieving Andanappa Yalagi said altering the legislation would “save the lives of so many women in the future”.

Mr Yalagi’s daughter Savita Halappanavar, 31, was 17 weeks pregnant when she died at Galway University Hospital on October 28 after suffering a miscarriage and septicaemia.

Her husband Praveen alleged his wife, who is a dentist, pleaded with doctors to perform a medical termination.

Doctors are said to have denied her requests because the foetus’s heartbeat was present – reportedly telling her: “This is a Catholic country.”

In an interview with the Observer, Mr Yalagi added his voice to a growing number of calls urging the Government to reform complex abortion laws. Addressing Mr Kenny, he said: “Sir, please change your law and take consideration of humanity.

“Please change the law on abortion, which will help to save the lives of so many women in the future.”

Mr Yalagi also called on the Indian government to take up the issue with their Irish counterparts.

“We want the government of 
India to put pressure on Ireland 
to change the law so that this cannot happen in the future,” he 
said.

More than 50 members of the European parliament have called on the Irish government to legislate on abortion following the death of Mrs Halappanavar.

The 53 MEPs from 15 different countries have written to the Taoiseach calling for action.

The letter was initiated by Irish MEP Paul Murphy and MEP Mikael Gustafsson, who is chair of the Women’s Rights and Equality Committee.

It comes as plans were outlined for an International Day of Protest on Wednesday with demonstrations at Irish embassies around the world.

Mr Murphy said: “The breadth of support for this letter demonstrates the anger that exists around the world at the tragic death of Savita Halappanavar, a death that could have been avoided by legislation on abortion in Ireland.”