THE debate on euthanasia in Ireland is set to intensify after a Co Donegal woman who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis asked her partner to help her die.
Marie Fleming, 59, a former lecturer at UCD, wants the option to end her own life and believes her partner Tom Curran should be allowed to help her.
The European Union is set to ban euthanasia.
But Mr Curran is part of a campaign group – Exit International – which wants to practice of euthanasia, or assisted suicide, to be allowed.
His partner Marie’s condition has deteriorated in recent years but she does want the right to make a choice on how she dies.
“After we weighed up everything I promised Marie that if she did want to end her life I would help her,” said Tom, who gave up his job in IT to care around the clock for his wife.
“By even telling you that I researched what would happen to me if I helped bring about a peaceful death for Marie, I’m breaking the law, but to me that’s absolutely crazy.”
He went on: “I love Marie, and part of that love says to me it’s her right to have the option (to die) and if nobody else is prepared to give her that option, then my love for her means I have that job to do.”
The 65-year-old admits that if he does help Marie in any way, he will probably go to jail.
“I detach myself when talking about Marie’s situation; it’s as if I’m talking theoretically, because that’s the only way I can cope with it. It tears me apart, of course — I’m only human, but it would tear me apart more to see Marie suffer, beyond the point where she doesn’t want to tolerate it,” he said.
His organisation has set up branches now in Belfast, Cork and Dublin.
He added: “We don’t break the law but we suggest to people that they should prepare for the future. We want the Government to be more humane in their approach to euthanasia but it’s hard to get them to even talk about it.”
