Irish girl wins right to abortion

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They moved quickly to stop the 17-year-old last month. But lawyers told the High Court yesterday they were now prepared to let her travel under certain conditions.

The girl from Leinster - known as Miss D - is four months pregnant and in the care of the Health Service Executive.

Just over a week ago she was told her unborn child has anencephaly, a condition which means part of the brain and skull will not form.

The baby is likely to survive for three days at the most.

Miss D told a social worker she could not cope with knowing her baby would die and signalled she wanted to have an abortion.

At this point the HSE stepped in, telling gardai they wanted her stopped from travelling. They also wrote to the Passport Office, refusing their consent for a passport.

Yesterday HSE lawyers faced questioning from Mr Justice Liam MacKechnie to outline what was in the best interests of Miss D.

After legal argument, the lawyers said they would agree to her travelling but set down conditions.

They said a judge would have to be satisfied Miss D's wish to have an abortion was fully considered and appropriate and that she must have the support of her mother.

Abortion is still illegal in Ireland, although women do have the right to information and travel.

It is estimated around 7,000 a year come to the UK to terminate unwanted pregnancies.