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The woman whose harrowing tale changed the law

Sarah Ewart at earlier judicial review into the abortion laws at Belfast High Court. Picture by Colm Lenaghan
Sarah Ewart at earlier judicial review into the abortion laws at Belfast High Court. Picture by Colm Lenaghan Sarah Ewart at earlier judicial review into the abortion laws at Belfast High Court. Picture by Colm Lenaghan

SARAH Ewart was just 23 when she travelled to England to have an abortion after her baby had been diagnosed with anencephaly, a condition in which the brain has not developed.

She was 20 weeks pregnant and had "exhausted all options" in Northern Ireland.

She went public with her harrowing story in 2013, telling how under Northern Ireland's abortion law she had been advised that, as her health was not at risk, she would have to carry the baby full term despite the fatal foetal abnormality.

After her story was reported the then health minister Edwin Poots asked his officials to consider the case.

Breedagh Hughes of the Royal College of Midwives credited her with driving the issue forward to yesterday's landmark verdict.

"It took one angry woman and her even more angry mother," Ms Hughes said.

Ms Ewart had to be persuaded not to return from holiday with her husband to be in court yesterday, with her mother Jane Christie calling her with the news.

"I hope that today’s ruling means that I, and other women like me, will no longer have to go through the pain I experienced, of having to travel to England, away from the care of the doctors and midwife who knew me, to access the healthcare I needed," she said.

"I, and many women like me have been failed by our politicians. First, they left me with no option but to go to England for medical care. Then, by their refusal to change the law, they left me with no option but to go to the courts on my and other women's behalf.

"I am an ordinary woman who suffered a very personal family tragedy, which the law in Northern Ireland turned into a living nightmare."

Mrs Christie said her daughter "has been through absolute hell".

"We have been so supported through this by Amnesty International and Grainne (Teggart, campaign manager) when we didn't know what to do and how to go on.

"(When I phoned Sarah) she burst into tears from sheer relief. She's not delighted about this, just relieved no one should ever have to be put in this position ever again."