The Attorney General has instructed a senior counsel to represent the unborn child at the centre of a court case being taken by a 17-year-old, who is four months pregnant, against the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The girl, who can only be identified as Miss D is challenging the legality of the HSE from preventing her from terminating her pregnancy overseas.
She has been in the care of the HSE since March and was told last week that her baby is suffering from the brain condition anencephaly, resulting in the absence of a major portion of the brain, skull and scalp.
The newborn baby will live a maximum of three days.
This morning the High Court heard that senior counsel James Connolly has been instructed by the Attorney General to represent the rights of the unborn child.
Yesterday counsel for the Attorney General told the High Court that the State does not have any power to stop a teenage girl travelling to the UK for an abortion
Donal O'Donnell SC, for the State, said the Attorney General's position was that the HSE had no legal power to direct the Garda to restrain a person who was the subject of an interim care order.
Meanwhile, a group calling themselves Choice Ireland will hold a demonstration outside the Four Courts tomorrow at 11am in support of Miss D.