The fifth anniversary of the death of the Savita Halappanavar will be marked by a candlelit vigil on Saturday October 28 at 6:30pm on Church Yard Street at the Galway Market.
The vigil is being organised by Galway Pro-Choice to "mark the passing of a brave, intelligent, and beautiful woman, whose life was an inspiration for so many people, and whose tragic death humbled our nation".
Members of the public are welcome to attend and pay their respects. Suzi Coombs of Galway Pro-Choice said, "five years on and Galway is still mourning the tragic death of Savita. We hope to honour her memory and invite the people of Galway to join us in celebrating her life.”
Savita was 17 weeks pregnant with her first child when she died. She was admitted to Galway University Hospital a week earlier with severe back pain. Despite suffering a septic miscarriage, her requests for a termination were refused because a foetal heartbeat was still present. She went into septic shock after spontaneously delivering a female foetus three days after she was admitted. She died in intensive care at 1.09am on October 28 2012. She was 31 years old.
The vigil will be addressed by a number of speakers, and there will be readings, music, and a moment of silence. Members of the public are invited to bring flowers and a candle, although this is not necessary to attend. "We ask that the community remain quiet and respectful during the vigil," saqid Ms Coombs, "as the purpose of this event is to remember the life of Savita Halappanavar and pay our respects to her family and friends."
