Dublin woman cleared of assisting friend’s suicide

There were jubilant scenes in court as Judge Patrick McCartan told the 43 year old she was free to go.

A cheer erupted in court and Gail O’Rorke wiped away tears as the jury returned after around 7 hours of deliberations with a majority not guilty verdict.

Outside court her husband Barry hugged her and said 'I can't believe it's over'

The jury only had one charge to consider – whether the 43 year old had attempted to help her friend – multiple sclerosis sufferer, Bernadette Forde – take her own life, by making travel arrangements to Switzerland where the euthanasia clinic Dignitas is based.

The evidence was that the booking was cancelled when the travel agent contacted gardaí.

The 43 year old was not arrested at the time in April 2011 but was subsequently charged after her friend took a lethal dose of barbiturates bought online from Mexico in June of that year.

Last Friday Gail O’Rorke was cleared by direction of Judge Patrick McCartan on charges of assisting her friend's suicide by preparing her funeral arrangements and procuring the drugs that killed her.

It was the first case of its kind in Ireland _  now Gail O’Rorke has been cleared  questions are likely to be asked as to why she was charged in the first place.

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