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Assisted suicide accused alleged another person was with deceased when she took lethal dose
Summary
In 2015 a trial heard that Gail O'Rorke, 43, was accused of aiding Bernadette Forde, 51, in taking her own life in 2011. O'Rorke claimed that another friend, Mary Lundy, had contacted the euthanasia organisation Exit International on Forde's behalf and that Lundy had used Forde's credit card to buy a book on suicide methods and set up a private email account. O'Rorke said that on 5 June 2011 she visited Forde's house, washed her, and spoke about "important things." She alleged that Lundy was present when Forde took a lethal dose of pentobarbital, that Forde had said she was "doing well," and that Lundy later claimed the drug was a dud. O'Rorke denied that anyone else was charged and stated that Tom Curran, a representative of Exit International, had advised Forde. The case was before Judge Patrick McCartan with a jury of twelve. Gail O'Rorke pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Assisted suicide accused alleged another person was with deceased when she took lethal dose. Charges or matters: aiding and abetting the suicide of Ms Forde by helping her to procure and administer a toxic substance between April 20, 2011 and June 6, 2011 at a location in Dublin. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- June 2011 Other
- August 2011 Other
- Sunday June 5, 2011 Other
- April 20, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 6, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 10 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 4 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-04-23 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: aiding and abetting the suicide of Ms Forde by helping her to procure and administer a toxic substance between April 20, 2011 and June 6, 2011 at a location in Dublin (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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