PR: Suicide Workshop: The Garda Commissioner should enforce the law

The euthanasia workshop is illegal

Date: 15 February 2010

The pro-life organisation, the Life Institute, has contacted the Garda Commissioner, Martin Callinan, asking that the Gardai ensure that action is taken to prevent a suicide 'workshop' taking place in Dublin on Thursday. The 'workshop' has been organised with the assistance of Atheist Ireland, and features Dr Philip Nitschke, the maverick Australian doctor who promotes assisted suicide as a panacea for elderly and sick people.

Most recently, Nitschke has said that his promotion of suicide is important giving the ageing of the world's population, and has extended his targets to include those who he describes as being "tired of life" as well as terminally ill and elderly people.

Niamh Ui Bhriain of the Life Institute has pointed out that the Irish Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993 states that 'A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years'.

In a letter to the Garda Commissioner she wrote, "Clearly Dr Nitschke is counselling the suicide of others and his actions are in breach of the Act. This law was written to protect vulnerable people and, should the Gardai not enforce the law, this workshop will most likely result in the death of an Irish citizen at some stage in the future."

She also told the Gardai that, "According to numerous media reports and Dr Nitschke's own website the workshop will coach people in how to end their lives, either by explaining how to obtain euthanasia drugs, or by demonstrating a step-by-step technique of covering the head with a bag filled with gas."

Ms Uí Bhriain said that there was no welcome for Nitschke in Ireland and that the return visit was a "cheap stunt" organised by a tiny group of mavericks who "craved publicity". "When Nitschke visited Ireland last year, so many people protested that four mainstream venues in a row cancelled, forcing his organisation to use a back-alley venue owned by a left-wing collective for his workshop," she said. "Nearly everyone who showed up for his creepy event were members of Atheist Ireland, and they were there, not to be informed, but to offer ideological support."

"The number of people who lose their lives to suicide is growing year on year in Ireland," she added. "It's hugely distressing and painful, especially for the families left behind. What Philip Nitschke is promoting is immoral, illegal and contrary to common decency."

The Life Institute has urged the Garda Commissioner to take the necessary action required to ensure that this illegal workshop does not go ahead.

ENDS