Wexford woman receives €30,000 after travelling for an abortion

Its reported today a County Wexford woman has received €30,000 in compensation after having to travel to the UK for an abortion.

This follows a fatal foetal abnormality diagnosis in her unborn baby. The compensation settlement by the Irish government came after a United Nations committee found that the mother Siobhan Whelan's human rights had been violated. The Wexford woman was pregnant in 2010 when a scan revealed her unborn son had a congenital brain malformation. She was advised by her obstetrician to let nature take its course. In a subsequent complaint to the UN committee Ms Whelan said she ended up feeling like a criminal travelling to Liverpool for an abortion. The state has now paid €30,000 in compensation and also committed to funding a counselling service for the county Wexford woman.