Abortion referendum: Savita Halappanavar’s father appeals for Yes vote

Savita Halappanavar’s father is appealing for a Yes vote in the upcoming abortion referendum, six years after she passed away from a septic miscarriage in University Hospital Galway. He hopes the eighth amendment will be repealed so other women won’t suffer the same fate.

Speaking to the Irish Times, Andanappa Yalagi said, “I will watch this vote. I hope the people of Ireland will vote yes for abortion, for the ladies of Ireland and the people of Ireland. My daughter, she lost her life because of this abortion law, because of the diagnosis, and she could not have an abortion. She died.”

When doctors determined Savita was miscarrying in 2012, she pleaded with them to carry out an abortion. They refused her requests because they could still detect the baby’s heartbeat. She died from septic shock and organ failure a few days later.

Her father, who said he’s not been contacted by anyone in Ireland for years, added, “We are happy people in Ireland remember Savita, and remember her when they are talking about abortion. It is very good people in Ireland are remembering how she died. I want people to remember her. It is a long time. It is six years, and the law still has not been changed. I am surprised change has not been implemented. I request that all Irish people vote Yes for this law to change.”

The referendum will take place on 25th May.