Courts / Dublin / Report

Jury begins deliberating in assisted suicide trial

Summary

The jury has begun deliberations in the trial of Gail O'Rorke, a 43‑year‑old taxi driver from Tallaght, who is accused of attempting to assist the suicide of her friend Bernadette Forde, 51. O'Rorke is alleged to have arranged travel to the Swiss euthanasia clinic Dignitas, a plan that was stopped when a travel agent alerted the Gardaí. Judge Patrick McCartan addressed the jury, summarising the prosecution's case that the facts are not in dispute and that O'Rorke's actions were too direct to be considered "too remote" from the suicide. He also explained the defence's argument that O'Rorke lacked criminal intent and that ignorance of the law is not a defence. The judge instructed the jury to give the benefit of the doubt where facts were uncertain and to consider the presumption of innocence. Gail O'Rorke pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury begins deliberating in assisted suicide trial. Charges or matters: attempting to aid and abet the suicide of Ms Forde by means of attempting to arrange travel to Zurich for such purpose between March 10 and April 20, 2011. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 10 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 20, 2011 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2015-04-27 Publication

Why: Judge McCartan told jurors that he was ordering not guilty verdicts in the final two charges because he agreed with the defence's argument that the prosecution has not produced enough evidence for the counts to go before a jury. Prosecution account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report