Ireland probes death of ill abortion-seeker

[November 14, 2012]  DUBLIN (AP) -- The debate over legalizing abortion in Ireland has flared after a woman suffering from blood poisoning was refused a quick termination of her pregnancy and died in an Irish hospital.

findings from three investigations into the Oct. 28 death of Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old Indian national living in Galway since 2008.

Her husband says doctors diagnosed she was miscarrying one week before her death, then diagnosed blood poisoning, but repeatedly refused their pleas for a termination because the fetus still had a heartbeat. She died three days after the fetus died and its remains were surgically removed.

Opposition politicians called Wednesday for the government to pass a law that would give doctors clear rules on performing abortions to save a woman's life.

[Associated Press]

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