Nationwide vigils will be held in honour of Savita Halappanavar on her fifth anniversary.
Abortion rights groups from across the country will host events to remember the 31-year-old who tragically died in 2012.
The vigil has been planned by the Galway Pro-Choice group. Suzi Coombs of Galway Pro-Choice opened up about the impact Savita’s death had on the county.
She told Advertiser.ie, “Five years on and Galway is still mourning the tragic death of Savita. We hope to honour her memory and invite the people of Galway to join us in celebrating her life.”
The aim of the event is to honour Savita. Groups in Limerick, Donegal, Galway, Kerry and Dublin and numerous other counties will host candlelit vigils on the day of her five-year anniversary.
Kerry Pro-Choice wrote about the event on Facebook, “We invite members of the public to bring along candles or a single flower and join us in an act of remembrance and solidarity with Galway Pro-Choice. All are welcome.”
The Limerick Feminist Network will also be hosting a vigil in the city, “We are gathering not only in remembrance of Savita but also in solidarity with anyone who has been directly and negatively affected by the 8th amendment.”
They have shared that they will be live streaming the vigil so those who cannot make it will still feel involved.
The events will take place on Saturday, October 28, five years on from Savita’s tragic passing. Those in attendance will also remember the other women who have died due to Ireland’s abortion laws.
Cathleen Shiels, who is the spokeswoman for the Inishowen Abortion Rights Campaign, shared her opinion on the Eighth Amendment with the Donegal Democrat.
She stated, “The Eighth Amendment is indiscriminate; whether you are experiencing complications in a planned and welcomed pregnancy, like Savita; or experiencing a crisis pregnancy - the Eighth Amendment prohibits access to timely and compassionate abortion services.
She added, “The management of miscarriage is impacted by Eight Amendment as are all of our maternity services. Savita deserved better, we all do. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family.”
Savita Halappanavar tragically passed away five years ago when she was 17 weeks pregnant. She was expecting her first child when she started suffering from back pain. When she was admitted to the hospital, doctors discovered that she suffered a septic miscarriage. She requested a termination, but this was refused due to the presence of a foetal heartbeat.
Savita went into septic shock when she delivered a female foetus. She was moved to intensive care where she died at 01:09 pm on October 28, 2012.
We will be thinking of Savita on her fifth anniversary this weekend. Our thoughts are with her loved ones.
