Widower accepts apology in Irish abortion case

[April 11, 2013]  DUBLIN (AP) -- The husband of a woman who died after being denied an abortion in an Irish hospital has accepted an apology from the senior midwife, who had explained that a termination wasn't possible because Ireland is "a Catholic country."

Praveen Halappanavar accepted the apology Thursday after the testimony of Ann Maria Burke at a coroner's inquest into the Oct. 28 death of 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar.

The Halappanavars repeatedly requested an abortion after doctors determined the 17-week-old fetus would die and Savita Halappanavar experienced a protracted miscarriage. She died from blood poisoning four days after the fetus died.

Burke testified she told the Halappanavars an abortion was not possible because of Ireland's Catholic ethos, and was "sorry how it came across."

Praveen Halappanavar thanked the midwife for her honesty and apology.

[Associated Press]

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