The Irish Medical Organization (IMO) is blocking Dublin’s plans to expand Women’s’ Reproductive Rights.  Many in Ireland are demanding Abortion Rights after the death of Savita Halappanavar, who couldn’t get a doctor to terminate the failed pregnancy that killed her.

The IMO met in Killarney over the weekend, voting down a motion that called for abortion to be allowed in cases where there was a substantial risk to the life of the mother.  The group also rejected motions on allowing abortion in cases of rape or incest and certain other special circumstances.

They did this, even though just two days earlier an inquest determined that Savita’s life would have been saved, had doctors not focused all their attention on saving the fetus.  Doctors refused her repeated requests for abortion even when her life was clearly in danger.

The 31-year old was 17 weeks pregnant when she was admitted to Galway Hospital last week, miscarrying.  She begged for doctors to terminate the failed pregnancy, and died failing to understand why she could not get a simple procedure to save her life.

Savita’s husband told the inquiry that Doctors informed him they would not perform the termination because Ireland “is a Catholic country”.

Despite the IMO’s lack of action, government ministers pledged to publish new abortion laws in July.