Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman who wanted to be allowed die making progress, High Court told

Date
2015-02-12
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In February 2015 the High Court heard a case involving a woman in her forties who had refused food and fluids, hoping to be allowed to die. The Health Services Executive (HSE) had sought orders to force feed and provide fluids, citing doctors' concerns that she could die without nourishment. High Court President Nicholas Kearns granted the HSE orders, including one allowing force feeding and fluid administration. The woman's husband supported the application. During the hearing, counsel for the HSE reported that the woman was making progress, had agreed to fluid administration via a drip, and had rejected PEG feeding tubes. The court considered the woman's capacity to make a decision about ending her life, with conflicting expert testimony: two consultants said she lacked capacity, while a third disagreed. The court had previously issued orders in October, which were now being considered for striking out, with the possibility of re‑entering if needed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman who wanted to be allowed die making progress, High Court told. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: By Aodhan O'Faolain A woman who had previously refused to take food and fluids because she wanted to be allowed die is making progress, the President of the High Court has been told. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • High Court
  • The High Court
  • Today High Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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