In-keeping with a High Court order, the woman’s identity cannot be revealed.
According to reports, the Health Service Executive (HSE) tried to contact the woman through direct calls and text messages when she failed to show up to a medical appointment. At 39-and-a-half weeks pregnant, her pregnancy is considered "high-risk" due to a medical condition.
During a High Court hearing yesterday, a HSE representative expressed concern for the woman, confirming that she had a long history with child protection services, with her ability to care for her children coming under scrutiny.
A mother-of-four, the woman’s eldest two children were taken into care and now live with grandparents; her third child was adopted in the UK, and her youngest child was placed in foster care.
Presiding judge Mr Justice Michael Moriarty granted permission to the gardaí to immediately search for, arrest without warrant, and detain the ‘vulnerable’ woman to transfer her to a hospital.
The case has been adjourned until Monday, with Judge Moriarty describing the situation as a “genuine human emergency”.
We will keep you updated on the story as it progresses.
