Law recognising rights of unborn babies receives full support of Wexford council – ‘I’m shocked this legislation doesn’t exist already’
Wexford PeopleA new law which will recognise babies who die as a result of fatal road collisions during pregnancy has received the full support of Wexford’s 34 county councillors. Earlier this month, Fine Gael TDs Emer Currie and Barry Ward confirmed that they were working on a draft proposal of Jax’s Law and that it would be published in the coming weeks.
In January 2024, Saoirse Aylward was involved in a road crash on the Rosslare to Wexford road, resulting in horrendous injuries and the loss of the baby boy she was carrying inside her – Jax. However, under Irish law, Jax was not recognised as a separate victim and, according to the courts, his death was given the same consideration as the other injuries Saoirse suffered in the crash.
Yurii Dudek, with an address listed in Ukraine, was sentenced to six months in prison for careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Aylward in 2024.
At the March meeting of WCC, Councillor Aoife Rose O’Brien, who is an expectant mother, called upon her colleagues to support the introduction of Jax’s Law into legislature.
"Wexford County Council extends its deepest sympathy and support to all mothers and families who have experienced the loss of an unborn child as a result of criminal or negligent conduct,” read the Sinn Féin councillor’s motion. “This council supports calls for legislative reform, which seeks to ensure that all victims and their families are fully and fairly recognised within the justice system, and that the dignity and significance of unborn children are appropriately acknowledged, both emotionally and legally.
"We refer to this legislation as 'Jax's Law'. Accordingly, this council calls upon the Oireachtas to engage meaningfully with bereaved families, advocacy organisations, and legal experts, and urges the government to prioritise the development and enactment of legislation addressing these matters.”
Saying she was “shocked and horrified” to discover that unborn babies weren’t already recognised by the State, Cllr O’Brien said this was a piece of legislation which needed to be brought in urgently.
Her motion was swiftly seconded by Cllr Mary Farrell and carried by the council.