An unborn child [1] has been aborted [2] after screenings incorrectly indicated it was suffering from a fatal abnormality [3], in this case Edward’s Syndrome. Pro-life groups [4] have said what happened is a result of the new abortion law [5].
The result of one final screening, which was not returned until after the abortion was completed showed that the child did not have the indicated abnormality and had been in good health.
The abortion was conducted at the National Maternity hospital in Holles street at 15 weeks into the pregnancy under the section of the abortion law that allows abortions where the child is expected to die before or shortly after birth.
The parents of the child are said to be ‘devastated’ and have made a complaint to both the hospital and the Minister for Health, Simon Harris.
In a statement, Holles Street said it does not comment on individual cases, but it confirmed that it has asked the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to review a recent case at the hospital, although the Royal College later told RTE news that it had not not received a formal approach to undertake a review [6].