In Ireland, thousands have taken to the streets in protest following the death of a woman who was denied access to abortion. Savita Halappanavar had begged doctors for an abortion after finding out she was already miscarrying her 17-week pregnancy. Doctors refused, reportedly telling her Ireland was “a Catholic country.” The 31-year-old died from septic shock after doctors finally removed the fetus once its heartbeat had stopped. Ireland, which has some of the world’s most restrictive abortion laws, permits abortion if a woman’s life is at risk, but does not specify how severe the threat must be. The Irish government is now vowing to clarify the law. On Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore called for the change before parliament.

Eamon Gilmore: “I have said very clearly that we need to bring legal clarity to this issue. We need to ensure that in this country that we do not have a doubt which arises in a hospital in a set of circumstances which puts a mother’s life at risk.”