US group calls on Virginia to speed up Exoo extradition

A US disability rights group has called for the state of Virginia to expedite the "expected Irish extradition request" for the…

A US disability rights group has called for the state of Virginia to expedite the "expected Irish extradition request" for the right-to-die activists, the Rev George Exoo and Mr Thomas McGurrin, for their role in the suicide of Ms Rosemary Toole Gilhooley.

The group, called Not Dead Yet - The Resistance, based in Illinois, vigorously opposes legal euthanasia and assisted suicides, claiming their legalisation would lead to pressure on the disabled to to take their own lives.

It claimed Dr Exoo lived by "exploiting the desperation of others".

The campaign's president, Ms Diane Coleman, said in a statement: "Since she reportedly already had enough pills and gas to complete about 20 suicides without any assistance, it looks like what she found in Exoo was someone to agree that she should die and even push her a little.

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"As a disabled woman, I see his actions as showing total contempt for her life, and it scares me."

Dr Exoo has denied he assisted or encouraged the suicide.

Gardaí will visit Virginia next week to sit in on an FBI interview with Dr Exoo.

He is expected to exercise his fifth amendment right not to incriminate himself.

Patrick Smyth

Patrick Smyth

Patrick Smyth is former Europe editor of The Irish Times