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Leah Farrell/Photocall Ireland

Calls for independent inquiry into "Ms Y" abortion case

The HSE is running its own inquiry, but some want it to be independent.

THERE HAVE BEEN a number of calls for an independent inquiry into the “Miss Y” abortion case.

The Association for the Improvement in the Maternity Services (AIMS) Ireland say that case of a suicidal rape victim which came to light last weekend raises concerns.

They say that the HSE decision to hold their own inquiry will be complicated by the makeup of the four-person board.

“Three of the four person panel have close ties to the HSE,” said AIMSI co-chair Jene Hinds Kelly.

“One is currently employed by them, one was previously employed by them, and another is from Patient Focus, an organisation who receive a significant amount of HSE funding each year.

This absolutely isn’t good enough to assure both the Irish public and the young woman in the case that genuine answers on how the HSE went so wrong here will be both sought and uncovered.

Doctors for Choice spokesperson Peadar O’Grady said that the man who led the Savita Halappanavar inquiry should lead the Ms Y investigation.

“We call on the HSE to set up an independent inquiry and recall Professor Sabaratnam Arulkumaran to chair it.

We recognise that Professor Arulkumaran has an eminent professional background and that he gained a valuable insight into the Irish Health Service having chaired the Savita Inquiry in 2013. We request that this independent inquiry be set up as a matter of urgency.

Meanwhile, the Life Institute says that the inquiry should ask questions of the Irish Family Planning Association’s role in the Ms Y case.

“The IFPA’s role in this must be investigated thoroughly and transparently,” said Niamh Uí Bhriain of the Life Institute.

The HSE had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publishing.

Read: Here’s what the inquiry into the ‘Ms Y’ abortion case will look at

Read: HSE orders a report into care given to rape victim denied an abortion

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95 Comments
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    Mute Scaldychops
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    Jan 13th 2014, 2:55 PM

    He deserves all the honours he gets. Great kid.

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    Mick
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    Mute Mick
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    Jan 13th 2014, 3:36 PM

    The term hero falls short…..
    Shame on all those cowards responsible for planning and coordinating the attack.

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    Mute Michael Drake
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    Jan 13th 2014, 3:47 PM

    When people go on about overpaid sports stars being hero’s it makes me sick.
    This kid however is the very definition of the word hero.
    May he rest in peace for his courage.

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    Mute Ciaran
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    Jan 14th 2014, 2:28 AM

    This kid is the definition of hero showing such bravery and protecting other lifes and people like him will be miss to the world but I think it’s wrong to say that calling a sports star a ”hero” as sick . Sport stars visiting terminally ill and very sick children in hospitals across the world, you’d be amused at the effect that has ….Obviously not to the same extent but I’d call them a hero

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    Mute Sean P
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    Jan 13th 2014, 4:08 PM

    Does his age matter?
    It’s a sad world where kids have to fight politicians decisions and incompetencies.

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    Cpm
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    Jan 13th 2014, 4:44 PM

    Of course it matters – it highlights his bravery further. You can imagine adults doing it, but a kid brave enough to sacrifice himself like this is almost unimaginable

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Jan 13th 2014, 4:03 PM

    Who would red thumb Michael’s cpmment?!!

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    Mute Tom Kiely
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    Jan 13th 2014, 4:17 PM

    Some sad plonker. ….

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    Mute Sean Browne
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    Jan 13th 2014, 2:51 PM

    Was he 17 or 15

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    Mute Sean Browne
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    Jan 13th 2014, 2:58 PM

    The pic says 17 and the story says 15 so shove the red thumbs up your noses

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    Mute Scaldychops
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    Jan 13th 2014, 3:02 PM

    We can read, Sean. It’s really just not that big an issue in the bigger picture.

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    Mute Sean Browne
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    Jan 13th 2014, 3:05 PM

    Oh right dont even give him the respect of getting the story right. ..lazy

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