Woman to face State’s first prosecution over assisted suicide

The trial of a woman charged with assisting in the suicide of another woman in Dublin four years ago, has been adjourned until Thursday.

Gail O’Rorke (43) of Kilclare Gardens in Tallaght is facing a charge that between March 10th, 2011 and June 6th, 2011, she aided, abetted, counselled or procured the suicide of her friend Bernadette Forde.

She is the first person to be charged with the offence in the State and if convicted could face up to 14 years in jail.

At the Circuit Criminal Court judge Patricia Ryan remanded Ms O’Rorke on continuing bail until Thursday when the case came up for mention on Monday morning.

The trial is expected to last up to two weeks.