Government makes €30k payout to woman forced to travel for abortion

The UN Human Rights Committee ruled in June in regards to Siobhán Whelan, who was denied access to abortion services in Ireland following a diagnosis of a fatal foetal impairment and eventually travelled to the UK for an abortion.

It said the State must provide her with “adequate compensation” and “any needed psychological treatment”, and is also obliged “to take steps to prevent similar violations occurring in the future”.

The Government has now made the payment of €30,000 and has offered counselling services to Ms Whelan, The Irish Times reports.

In a statement, Ms Whelan said: “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.

“However, 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.”