The death of the Indian national Savita Halappanavar has disheartened Ireland, sparking a debate around legalising abortion in the country. Almost six years after her death, the 31-year-old continues to be in people’s mind. The country comes together to vote on whether or not to hold the Eighth Amendment to the Irish Constitution, which grants a mother and unborn child an equal right to life. People have left flowers and messages at the mural of Savita which has been erected in Dublin. Reportedly, the referendum vote to repeal the ban is predicted to win by a two-thirds majority.
Abortion law in Ireland is considered to be one of the strictest laws in Europe. This campaign has proven to be an historic referendum on liberalising its abortion law in the country. The abortion campaign refers to the tight restrictions on every woman to terminate pregnancies in Ireland. Many rooted for repealing the ban, saying “Yes for Savita” on Twitter.
Here is the beautiful mural of Savita Halappanavar.
Wow. Beautiful mural of Savita Halappanavar by ACHES at the @TheBernardShaw pic.twitter.com/1eodgw1gY0
— Rachel Collins (@OrrCollins) May 24, 2018
As citizens offer condolences to Savita.
Mural of Savita Halappanavar erected as Ireland votes in abortion referendum pic.twitter.com/8qY8jftCqm
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) May 25, 2018
The messages reads!
The messages on the wall say: Never again. pic.twitter.com/Igv7j1Z63D
— Helen Lewis (@helenlewis) May 25, 2018
The 31-year-old dentist was 17 weeks pregnant when was admitted to the University Hospital Galway with a back pain in 2012. The doctors discovered that Savita was miscarrying a foetus. Her request to abort the child were rejected by the hospital staff reminding, “This is a Catholic country.” It was only when the foetus died that the hospital attempted to an abortion. It was too late! Within days, the 31-year-old Indian origin as she was contracted septicaemia.
Ireland’s pro-life Save The 8th campaign has accepted the defeat by Yes vote! An exit poll released by Ireland's national broadcaster RTE after polling stations closed predicted that 69.4 percent voted in favour of repealing the Eighth Amendment and 30.6 per cent "no". The Together For Yes organisation said: "This is a vote for dignity and decency." It is set to be the latest revolutionary on the path of change for a country who became the first in the world to legalise same-sex marriage in 2015.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 26, 2018 05:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).