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Protest over abortion laws after Savita Halappanavar death Protest over abortion laws after Savita Halappanavar death
(about 1 hour later)
About 2,000 people protested outside the Irish parliament in Dublin on Wednesday evening to call for the reform of the Republic's abortion laws.About 2,000 people protested outside the Irish parliament in Dublin on Wednesday evening to call for the reform of the Republic's abortion laws.
It follows the death of pregnant woman Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway.It follows the death of pregnant woman Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway.
Her family said she asked several times for her pregnancy to be terminated because she had severe back pain and was miscarrying.Her family said she asked several times for her pregnancy to be terminated because she had severe back pain and was miscarrying.
Her husband told the BBC it was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat.Her husband told the BBC it was refused because there was a foetal heartbeat.
When asked by the BBC if he thought his wife would still be alive if the termination had been allowed, Praveen Halappanavar, said: "Of course, no doubt about it."When asked by the BBC if he thought his wife would still be alive if the termination had been allowed, Praveen Halappanavar, said: "Of course, no doubt about it."
He said staff at the hospital told them Ireland was "a Catholic country".He said staff at the hospital told them Ireland was "a Catholic country".
Ms Halappanavar, who was 31 and originally from India, was a dentist. Her death, on 28 October, is the subject of two investigations.Ms Halappanavar, who was 31 and originally from India, was a dentist. Her death, on 28 October, is the subject of two investigations.
Dr Muiris Houston, health analyst for The Irish Times newspaper, said that all of the circumstances surrounding the incident had not been revealed yet.
He described it as a "rare situation".
During Wednesday night's protest, a minute's silence was held in memory of Mrs Halappanavar.During Wednesday night's protest, a minute's silence was held in memory of Mrs Halappanavar.
A group of about 40 protesters also gathered outside the Irish embassy in London.A group of about 40 protesters also gathered outside the Irish embassy in London.
In Cork, a candlelight vigil was held at the city's opera house in memory of the dentist.In Cork, a candlelight vigil was held at the city's opera house in memory of the dentist.
Abortion is illegal in the Republic except where there is a real and substantial risk to the life, as distinct from the health, of the mother.Abortion is illegal in the Republic except where there is a real and substantial risk to the life, as distinct from the health, of the mother.
The Irish government in January established a 14-member expert group to make recommendations based on a 2010 European Court of Human Rights judgment that the state failed to implement existing rights to lawful abortion where a mother's life was at risk.The Irish government in January established a 14-member expert group to make recommendations based on a 2010 European Court of Human Rights judgment that the state failed to implement existing rights to lawful abortion where a mother's life was at risk.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that the group was due to report back to the Minister for Health, James Reilly, shortly.A spokesperson for the Department of Health said that the group was due to report back to the Minister for Health, James Reilly, shortly.
"The minister will consider the group's report and subsequently submit it to government," the spokesperson said."The minister will consider the group's report and subsequently submit it to government," the spokesperson said.
University Hospital Galway is to carry out an internal investigation. It said it could not comment on individual cases but would be cooperating fully with the coroner's inquest into Ms Halappanavar's death.University Hospital Galway is to carry out an internal investigation. It said it could not comment on individual cases but would be cooperating fully with the coroner's inquest into Ms Halappanavar's death.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Galway Roscommon University Hospitals Group extended its sympathy to the husband, family and friends of Ms Halappanavar.In a statement released on Wednesday, the Galway Roscommon University Hospitals Group extended its sympathy to the husband, family and friends of Ms Halappanavar.
Mr Halappanavar is still in India after accompanying his wife's body there for her funeral.Mr Halappanavar is still in India after accompanying his wife's body there for her funeral.