Concealed pregnancies expert calls for re-examination of 1861 law
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Dr Sylvia Murphy Tighe
An expert on concealed pregnancies has called for the re-examination of a law criminalising women who secretly give birth to babies who don’t survive, The Times reports.
Dr Sylvia Murphy Tighe, a lecturer at University of Limerick’s Department of Nursery and Midwifery, said the Law Reform Commission should consider whether section 60 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 should be repealed.
There have been at least two suspected concealed pregnancies involving a perinatal death in the State this year, and a third in Northern Ireland.
Dr Murphy Tighe is the co-author of a study of 30 women who concealed their pregnancies, which found that many fear prosecution if they are identified.
She said: “I believe that it should definitely be examined by the Law Reform Commission, because of the impact it can have.”
Dr Murphy Tighe said repealing the law could also help trafficking victims who are forced to conceal a pregnancy against their will.
Sinn Féin health spokesperson Louise O’Reilly told The Times that she supported a repeal of the law.
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