An investigation is underway into the tragic death of a young mother in Blackpool that occurred following a post-abortion infection.
Sarah Louise Dunn (31), died at Blackpool Victoria Hospital on 11 April 2020 almost four weeks after having the abortion.
After feeling unwell following the procedure, the mother of five approached her GP several times over the course of two weeks. On 10th April, she was taken by ambulance to Victoria Hospital’s A&E department and died the following day from the sepsis infection.
During a pre-inquest review at Blackpool Town Hall last week, coroner Louise Rae proposed calling an independent expert to examine the case following a request from Ms Dunn’s family.
A full investigation into her death has been set for the first week in November and is likely to last five days.
Sadly, this is not the first case of its kind in England where a woman lost her life due to an infection from an abortion. The lack of media interest in her case is also very noticeable, in contrast for example to the round the clock media coverage of the Savita Halappanavar case that was used to foist abortion on Ireland. Savita died as a result of a mismanaged sepsis during her care and not as a result of being denied an abortion as the media continually and vehemently claims.
The Oirechtas All-Party Life and Dignity Group has requested a meeting with the Minister for Health to discuss the Three-Year Review of the new abortion law.
Minister Stephen Donnelly plans to appoint an "independent expert" soon to oversee the review, which must be completed by the end of the year as set out in law. It also emerged recently that the Minister for Health has been holding talks with select "stakeholders" in preperation for the review.
Earlier this week, co-chair of the Oireachtas Life & Dignity group, Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick, described as unacceptable the fact that the minister hadn't met with any representatives of the pro-life movement to discuss the content and parameters of the review about to take place. Deputy Fitzpatrick said the minister must ensure a "fair and thorough" process. His comments were echoed by fellow co-chair of the Oireachtas Life & Dignity group, Carol Nolan TD.
Speaking to the media this week, Deputy Nolan said she was seeking a commitment from the Minister for Health “to promote and provide positive alternatives to abortion in light of the 13,000-plus abortions carried out to date. This is hardly the definition of ‘rare’ that was promised pre-referendum,” she said.
She also called on the government to support the introduction of a provision in law that would ensure pain relief is given to unborn babies prior to late-term abortions. She called as well for the retention of the three-day waiting period before an abortion can happen and asked the Minister for Health to give a commitment that access to abortion on request beyond 12 weeks will not be sanctioned as part of the review.
Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeil has proposed as part of the review that abortion facilities should not be allowed review themselves when adverse events occur warranting investigation. Her suggestion is likely to garner widespread support.
One assumes the adverse incidents Deputy Carroll MacNeil refers to are not the cruel and destructive abortions taking place. She's most likely referring to situations like the 'Baby Christopher' tragedy that happened in the National Maternity Hospital and it's only proper that any investigations into cases like this should automatically be carried out externally and not by anyone associated with the hospital.
Not surprisingly, abortion supporters are pushing hard for wider access to abortion as part of the three-year review. The interventions in the media this week by pro-life TDs however shows that the Government is not going to get away lightly with overlooking pro-life concerns. In addition, many of the issues being raised by the pro-life side enjoy public support, as shown in opinion polls. It's vital therefore that pro-life people continue to raise their voices for positive changes as the three-year review gets underway in earnest.
A new art exhibit celebrating the lives of people with Down syndrome opened recently in Kansas City, Missouri. The exhibit, titled “Just As I Am,” is a portrait gallery of a variety of people with Down syndrome.
According to the organisers, “the project’s aim is to create awareness and a better understanding of Down syndrome through raw, authentic stories" in order to change the way people view those with Down syndrome.
Alongside the portraits at the exibit are video interviews in which the individuals featured talk about their hopes and dreams. It's another positive and very worthy initiative.
To watch the 1 minute trailer for "Just As I Am", click here
Senator Rónán Mullen has written to the President of Maynooth University seeking answers regarding the online survey being circulated in the name of university, in association with pro-abortion organisation “Together for Safety”.
The survey which refers to pro-life people as "anti-choice" claims to be collecting “tangible information" about the prevalence of protests close to abortion facilities.
In his letter to Professor Philip Nolan, Senator Mullen asks how the survey is in accord with the principle of ensuring that academic research is conducted in an objective, unbiased and impartial way.
And Senator Mullen poses the following question to the college president: "Is it ethical for Maynooth University or any other institution to promote or sponsor academic research where such research is manifestly being conducted in furtherance of a political campaign to change the law?" It will be interesting to see how Professor Nolan responds!
Last week, Senator Mullen encouraged members of the public to contact Maynooth University to express their concern about the politically motivated survey being co-sponsored by the university.
If you haven't done so already, consider sending a quick email to the President of Maynooth University at [email protected]
The Pro Life Campaign has sent a detailed submission to the Medical Council's Public Consultation on the soon to be revised Guide to Professional Conduct and Ethics, which regulates medical practice in Ireland.
In its submission, the PLC calls on the Medical Council to amend its Ethical Guide 2019 which, for the first time ever, obliges doctors to facilitate the ending of human life through abortion.
The PLC also draws attention to the fact that previous guidelines required doctors to adhere to “evidence-based best practice” in relation to abortion but the Ethical Guide 2019 removed this section entirely.
The PLC submission states that the soon to be updated Ethical Guide needs to restore proper freedom of conscience protections for healthcare workers and adherence to evidence based medicine.
The submission says: "Any revision to the Guide in the area of freedom of conscience also needs to ensure that no obligation is placed on conscientious objectors to engage in abortion referral. Forcing doctors opposed to abortion to arrange for the abortion to be carried out by a colleague is not respecting freedom of conscience. There is no ethical difference between performing the abortion oneself and arranging for someone else to carry it out. The result of both is the same – an unborn baby loses its life. The Medical Council has a duty to protect its members from becoming facilitators of abortion, and to fulfil this responsibility the 2019 Guide needs to be amended."
The submission points out that the issues involved are of profound and critical importance, that extend far beyond the provision of abortion. It states that these issues must be confronted head on if the Medical Council "is to command respect in the future and have any credibility within the medical profession and the wider public."
The PLC's e-card to RTÉ is a small but nonetheless important feature of a much bigger campaign to force the National Broadcaster to account for its biased coverage of the abortion issue.
The e-card simply and reasonably asks the Director General to explain why pro-life supporters should continue paying the licence fee given RTÉ's outrageously biased coverage.
TWELVE WEEKS on from the start of the campaign and still no response from the Director General! The refusal of Dee Forbes and RTÉ to give e-card senders the courtesy of a reply is fast becoming an issue in itself.
We're going to keep this campaign going until the Director General replies. There is an added urgency to the campaign given the egregious examples of bias on RTÉ in recent weeks, including the primetime screening of the pro-abortion film 'The 8th'.
Take 30 seconds to sign the e-card today if you haven’t done so already. And PLEASE, PLEASE share this link with family and friends.https://prolifecampaign.ie/stopthebias/
As you may already be aware, the Pro Life Campaign are running a campaign to make sure that we hold our national broadcaster RTÉ to account for its glaringly one-sided coverage of the abortion issue.
We are asking like minded people to send an E-card to RTÉ, asking them to "Stop The Media Bias".
Thousands of cards have been sent already, but we need much much more to make a real impact.
Please help us spread the word by ordering your leaflets today. These can be given to friends, family and community, informing them of the campaign and encouraging them to send a card also.
Raise funds and support mothers and babies this summer.
Taking part is easy and fun. Run, cycle or swim, you decide. How and where you do the 5k is your choice. You may decide to do it with a group of friends or solo, it’s up to you!
Just remember to tell your family and friends about your plans and ask them to sponsor you.
Register today and receive your free LoveBoth T-Shirt and sponsorship pack
Are you interested in working with a dynamic human rights organisation?
We are are seeking a dynamic and motivated individual who will contribute to the strategic development of the pro-life movement in Ireland via the roles of Policy Officer and Student Coordinator with Students For Life.
This is an exciting opportunity for a suitable candidate.
Would you like to experience working with a pro-active Human Rights organisation?
If you would like, APPLY HERE to our exciting virtual intern programme for students!
Participants on the programme will have an opportunity to network with other young people and develop skills in advocacy, campaign management and project planning.
Internships run for one-week periods and are suitable for second level (Transition year or older) and third level students.
Each intern will do 4 hours supervised work each day and will be working on areas such as social media, contact with members of the movement nationwide, project planning and contributing to support work for women and their babies.
Internships are not paid, however expenses will be covered.
If you or a family member is interested, please complete the below form and we will be in touch with you presently. Placements are subject to availability.
Vital Signs is the e-newsletter of the Pro Life Campaign. We hope you and your families are keeping well in these unusual times. This email is to update you on what we have been working on recently, including news stories, project updates, and details of upcoming events. If you want to get in touch with us please do so by emailing [email protected]
