Irish twist to probe in Savita's case, hearing in small room

New Delhi, April 6: In the backdrop of Irish doctors rejecting a motion to support

for abortion where there is a "real and substantial risk'' to the life of the mother, the

into the death of Savita Halappanavar is coming up next week in Ireland, and curiously it is being held in a small room.

Despite widespread interest in the case, the inquiry is set to take place in the second-smallest courtroom (number 3) at Galway's courthouse. This could mean serious space problems. It has an estimated capacity for 70 and there are just three seats assigned for journalists.

According to local media, this was the only room available to the Coroner's Court, and if the hearing extends into another week, the proceedings will have to be moved to either County Hall or City Hall.

West Galway coroner Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin has advised both sides to come to some agreement over which witnesses needed to be called.

This is significant as at the preliminary hearing in January, MacLoughlin had promised Praveen Halappanavar that the inquiry into his wife's death would be undertaken with "solemn respect, dignity and courtesy to you and to the memory of the deceased - your beloved Savita".

OneIndia News