A woman who took her own life has been described as a very spiritual person who loved life as another woman awaits trial for assisting her suicide.

Bernadette Forde (51) was found dead at her home in Donnybrook, Dublin, on June 5th 2011.

Yesterday Gail O'Rorke (42), Kilclare Gardens, Tallaght, Dublin, was charged with assisting in the suicide of a multiple sclerosis sufferer, in relation to Ms. Forde's death. She pleaded not guilty. 

She has been remanded on bail and will make her first appearance at the circuit court on December 13th. There was no objection to legal aid.

Susan Mitchell, Health Correspondent for the Sunday Business Post, published conversation between herself and a friend of Bernadette Forde's.

This morning the journalist told Newstalk's Breakfast that Bernadette Forde had previously tried to organise travel to a Dignitas clinic in Switzerland, where she could have died:

Conor O’Mahony, lecturer in constitutional law, told Newstalk's Breakfast the case is unprecedented - it is believed to be the first under Section 2.2 of the Criminal Law (Suicide) Act 1993.

The offence of aiding, abeting, procuring or counseling a suicide arose out of legislative changes in 1993. The Act that covers that includes a section that ultimately gives the Director of Public Prosecutions discretion on whether or not to pursue charges.

The maximum penalty for the offence is 14 years in prison.

A coroner's inquest into the cause of Ms. Forde's death has been adjourned.