An expert witness has told the Savita Halappanavar inquest that he believes she would still be alive if her pregnancy had been terminated a day or two before she miscarried.

The 31-year-old dentist died from septicaemia at Galway University Hospital on Sunday October 28th last having been refused an abortion because of Irish law.

The Clinical Director of the National Maternity Hospital Dr. Peter Boylan has been called to give expert evidence on behalf of Coroner Dr Ciaran MacLoughlin on day 6 of the hearing. The Consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist has told the inquest he believes Savita Halappanavar's case raises a number of questions that need to be answered.

Dr. Boylan has said it was clear the 31-year-old would miscarry on Monday October 22nd last, a day after her admission to hospital.

He believes she would still be alive had her pregnancy been terminated then or on Tuesday. However he has concluded this was not practicable under Irish law because her life was not at risk.

'Sick enough to justify a termination'

By 6.30am Wednesday Savita was showing signs of severe sepsis and in Dr. Boylan's view she was sick enough by then to justify a termination.

The decision to abort the foetus was not made until that lunchtime, although it had been considered following a morning ward round. A follow-up scan showed the foetus no longer had a heartbeat.

Dr. Boylan has told the inquest that even if the process began before 9.30am, it was unlikely the outcome would have been different as she became critically ill over a short period of time.

Mrs. Halappanavar had requested a termination on Tuesday.

Dr. Boylan has also concluded that there were deficiencies in Savita Halappanavar's care at Galway University Hospital which delayed her treatment.

The inquest is expected to return a verdict on Friday.