Dr Paddy Leahy, the Dublin doctor who last week travelled to Thailand with the intention of ending his life there, said last night he intended to stay in the country unless he is asked to leave. The medical authorities in Thailand have asked him not to take his own life in the country and Dr Leahy has agreed to this.
Speaking last night from the Hotel Merlin Ptaya, where he has spent his holidays for the past 20 years, Dr Leahy said he would do nothing to embarrass his hosts. "I will stay on here and see how I manage for a while. I don't know what I will do eventually. My mobility is deteriorating rapidly and I am finding it harder to get from A to B," he said.
"I did not sleep very well last night. I'm suffering a good deal of discomfort but life goes on."
He remained adamant about his right to end his own life when he chose. "Once your quality of life has deteriorated totally I feel it is reasonable that you should be able to choose to die. I don't think judges in their wigs or anyone else should be able to make the decision for you," he said.
Dr Leahy is suffering from cancer of the bladder which has re turned despite major surgery. He has said he has assisted in more than 50 cases of euthanasia in Ireland in the past.