Cold and inhumane: Clinic informs Cavan family via WhatsApp of mother’s assisted suicide |
The family of a Co Cavan woman who ended her life through assisted suicide at a Swiss clinic has spoken out about the distressing way they were informed of her death.
Megan Royal, daughter of the late Maureen Slough (58), said she learned of her mother’s death via a WhatsApp message from the Pegasos euthanasia clinic. Ms Slough, who had a history of mental illness, had told her family she was going on a short trip to Lithuania in early July. Instead, she travelled alone to Switzerland where she underwent assisted suicide.
Ms Royal, who is seeking answers about everything that happened, also revealed the shocking details that her mother’s ashes were sent home to Ireland in the post by the clinic. Adding to the family’s anguish, she said: “There wasn’t even a condolence card with the ashes, just a cremation certificate.”
Ms Royal, who had given birth just weeks before her mother’s death, has been attending counselling to help her process the grief and trauma she has experienced. “It has helped me somewhat, but having a baby and losing my mother within three weeks - I just can’t explain what that even feels like,” she said. | 
