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Fundraiser to send mother to Dignitas clinic cancelled | Fundraiser to send mother to Dignitas clinic cancelled |
(35 minutes later) | |
A daughter trying to raise money to pay for her terminally ill mother to die at a Swiss clinic said she is heartbroken after being forced to cancel an event. | A daughter trying to raise money to pay for her terminally ill mother to die at a Swiss clinic said she is heartbroken after being forced to cancel an event. |
Tara O'Reilly, from Llanelli, has been trying to raise money to send Jackie Baker to euthanasia unit Dignitas. | Tara O'Reilly, from Llanelli, has been trying to raise money to send Jackie Baker to euthanasia unit Dignitas. |
She said her 59-year-old mother's condition has deteriorated rapidly and she had begged her children to make sure she dies with dignity. | She said her 59-year-old mother's condition has deteriorated rapidly and she had begged her children to make sure she dies with dignity. |
But Mrs O'Reilly said police warned her that she could face prosecution. | But Mrs O'Reilly said police warned her that she could face prosecution. |
Under current UK law, a person encouraging or assisting a suicide or suicide attempt could face up to 14 years in prison, if a decision was taken to prosecute. | Under current UK law, a person encouraging or assisting a suicide or suicide attempt could face up to 14 years in prison, if a decision was taken to prosecute. |
Mrs O'Reilly, 40, said: "I've been forced to cancel the night. I don't know what I'm going to do or how I will raise the money. | Mrs O'Reilly, 40, said: "I've been forced to cancel the night. I don't know what I'm going to do or how I will raise the money. |
"Emotive issue" | |
"The law needs to change. It is inhumane that people should have to suffer in the way that my mother may have to now. | "The law needs to change. It is inhumane that people should have to suffer in the way that my mother may have to now. |
"I'm so upset - the thought of seeing my mum die without her dignity makes me feel sick." | "I'm so upset - the thought of seeing my mum die without her dignity makes me feel sick." |
The decision by Mrs O'Reilly and her sister Rose Baker to arrange an £8,000 fundraising evening with a drag artist and playboy waiters has led to front-page stories in national and international newspapers. | The decision by Mrs O'Reilly and her sister Rose Baker to arrange an £8,000 fundraising evening with a drag artist and playboy waiters has led to front-page stories in national and international newspapers. |
Mrs O'Reilly said she was aware of the possible risks - but did not anticipate her mother's story would gain global press attention. | Mrs O'Reilly said she was aware of the possible risks - but did not anticipate her mother's story would gain global press attention. |
She added the threat of being arrested or even jailed while her mother continued to worsen placed her in a very difficult position. | She added the threat of being arrested or even jailed while her mother continued to worsen placed her in a very difficult position. |
Dyfed-Powys Police said it was "an extremely sensitive and emotive issue" which the force has "carefully considered" as a result of a complaint received. | |
A spokesperson added: "All parties concerned have been spoken to and support and advice provided." | |
'Unthinkable' | |
On Wednesday, Ms O'Reilly told BBC Wales the family had thought long and hard about their mother's wishes. | On Wednesday, Ms O'Reilly told BBC Wales the family had thought long and hard about their mother's wishes. |
"My mother spoke to me and my sister about it and she said if it gets worse, which it has, she wanted to go to Switzerland," she said. | "My mother spoke to me and my sister about it and she said if it gets worse, which it has, she wanted to go to Switzerland," she said. |
"We were distraught, because it's unthinkable. | "We were distraught, because it's unthinkable. |
"But as the months have gone, and we've seen how much she has deteriorated, unable to feed herself, dress herself. | "But as the months have gone, and we've seen how much she has deteriorated, unable to feed herself, dress herself. |
"It's cruel. You wouldn't let your cat or dog suffer, you'd take them to the vets. It's kind. | "It's cruel. You wouldn't let your cat or dog suffer, you'd take them to the vets. It's kind. |
"This is not kind. Having to wipe your mother's mouth, feed her and give her drinks through a straw." | "This is not kind. Having to wipe your mother's mouth, feed her and give her drinks through a straw." |