Motion to name street after Savita Halappanavar struck out last night

According to emerging reports, Dublin City Councillors, who were in agreement that the memory of Savita Halappanavar should be honoured by naming a street in the capital after her, had their motion struck out by the Lord Mayor last night.

Savita Halappanavar, whose story sent shockwaves throughout Ireland five years ago, died after being denied a termination at a Galway hospital in October 2012.

The 31-year-old dentist requested a termination after falling critically ill four months into her pregnancy, but was told it was not possible due to the presence of a foetal heartbeat.

Despite all councillors voting in favour of Tina MacVeigh's motion to honour Savita with a street name, councillors don't actually have the authority to name city streets.

MacVeigh of People Before Profit explained her reasoning for the motion, saying: "Behinds Savita's name are the tens of thousands of other women in Ireland who have experienced difficulties and have been victims of our draconian laws which govern our reproductive care and rights in the health system."

“Savita’s life had dignity and meaning, her death had neither,” she continued. “Naming a street in her memory would be a gesture not only to honour her life but would also make a strong statement about the legacy of how women in Ireland have been treated."

All is not lost, however, as Lord Mayor Brendan Carr, who said he supports the motion, has stressed that it's up to the residents of a street to put forward a request to name it after the late 31-year-old, explaining: “That’s the process of it.”