The HSE's Director General Tony O'Brien has ordered a report into the circumstances in which a woman was refused an abortion after claiming she was suicidal.

 

A statement this evening says the report will establish the full facts and sequence of events - as well as the care given to the woman who was denied a termination under the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act.

 

Decisions taken by clinicians involved in the case will not be reviewed.

 

And the law relating to abortion in Ireland is once again under the spotlight.

 

It comes after it emerged that the woman - who had claimed she was suicidal - was denied a termination under the new abortion legislation - introduced in January.

 

The case has led to renewed calls for a referendum by pro-choice campaigners - to repeal the 8th amendment from the constitution - in order to legalise abortion.

 

The Pro-life campaign is accusing the pro-choice side of exploiting the situation to push for more abortion.

 

Meanwhile Fiona Neary of the Rape Crisis Network says the woman at the centre of the case - whom its reported was a rape victim - has been utterly failed by the system: