Euthanasia Body to Set Up Irish Group

By Susan Mitchell, The Post.ie

May 16, 2010

Ireland

Exit International, the controversial pro-euthanasia organisation, is setting up a group in Ireland. The first advocacy group of its kind in Ireland will be headed by Dublin man Tom Curran.

Curran said the association in Ireland would be a source of information and support to people interested in learning more about euthanasia and assisted suicide. He said people had ‘‘a right to access information’’.

Curran’s partner had multiple sclerosis and, as her condition had become progressively worse, he said they had discussed options such as assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Curran said the group was ‘‘very much in its infancy’’, but planned to hold its first meeting before the end of July. He said he became involved with Exit International after attending a meeting held by Dr Philip Nitschke, its founder.

Nitschke came to Ireland earlier this year, but a campaign by anti-euthanasia groups resulted in four venues cancelling Exit International’s bookings.

It is a crime in Ireland to assist a suicide or euthanasia. Consultant Dr Regina McQuillan, who chairs the Irish Association for Palliative Care, said the association was opposed to any change in the legislation.

She said any change would send out the message that the sick and the frail were a burden on society. She added that most people who were ‘‘very ill wanted any treatment that could prolong their lives’’, but promoting euthanasia and assisted suicide sent out the ---message that those lives were not worth living.

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