Gail O’Rorke pleads not guilty to assisting suicide

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

On 20 April 2015, a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, before Judge Patrick McCartan, heard Bernadette Forde’s recorded final message. Gail O’Rorke has pleaded not guilty to three counts connected with Forde’s suicide. The proceedings were reported on 21 April 2015. Forde, 51, who had multiple sclerosis, died at her Donnybrook home on 6 June 2011.

O’Rorke is accused of attempting to aid Forde’s suicide between 10 March and 20 April 2011 by arranging travel to Dignitas in Zurich, and aiding and abetting her suicide by helping procure and administer a toxic substance. The third count alleged that she allowed the suicide to go ahead by making advance funeral arrangements between 4 and 6 June 2011.

In the recording, Forde asserted that she alone was responsible. She described hiding her plans from friends and having to remain alone. State lawyer Remy Farrell questioned the reliability of the recorded account, while acknowledging that Forde had consciously decided to end her life.

The jury was told that police were alerted after O’Rorke explained the purpose of the planned Zurich trip to a travel agent. The court heard that she was instrumental in purchasing the toxic substance and was in the house when it was delivered.

O’Rorke was in Kilkenny when Forde died. Farrell said the intention was for her to be nowhere near Forde, but that she had already helped arrange the funeral. He argued that, by placing herself away from Forde, she had put Forde in a position to take the drug.

Elizabeth Cremin found Forde’s body after O’Rorke called her on 6 June 2011, saying she had been unable to contact Forde and asking her to check on her. The trial was continuing.