Statement issued after State pays €30,000 to woman refused abortion

Siobhan Whelan, who was denied a medical abortion despite learning her unborn son had holoprosencephaly, a congenital brain malformation, has been awarded €30,000 by the State.

According to The Independent, the Wexford woman, who was informed her child would likely die in utero or soon after birth, was forced to travel to the UK following the diagnosis in 2010.

Following a termination in Liverpool, Ms Whelan brought her complaint to the UN Human Rights Committee, who concluded that she had had her human rights violated, and was treated in a 'cruel, inhuman and degrading' manner.

With assistance from the Centre for Reproductive Rights in New York, it was deemed appropriate to provide Ms Whelan with compensation and psychological treatment.

Ms Whelan has released a statement in light of the settlement, saying: "The human rights committee’s decision this year on my complaint, in which it recognised the human rights violations I faced, was immensely important for me.

"I am very glad the Government has now taken steps to acknowledge the committee’s decision by providing reparations to me and I am grateful for this recognition.

Turning her attention to other women who may face similar circumstances, Ms Whelan said: "For me, the most important aspect of the Government’s obligation is to ensure law reform so that other women no longer have to suffer in this way."

"This is why I took my complaint to the human rights committee and I hope it will not be long before our laws are changed so that women like me can be given the best possible care at home."