Sir, - In an interview in the Sunday Tribune of January 16th, and on RTE's Morning Ireland the following morning and reported by Carol Coulter in The Irish Times of the same day, the Master of the Rotunda Hospital, Dr Peter McKenna, repeated the claim he first made in an interview reported in your newspaper in July 1998 under the heading: "Abortions are being carried out in the State, says doctor."
In the recent interview Dr McKenna stated that an abortion had been carried out in the Rotunda Hospital for a "molar pregnancy with very high blood pressure", and stated that he could cite three such cases.
Dr McKenna must be aware that evacuation of a molar pregnancy, even if it results in the death of a co-existing twin, is a standard method of treatment and is both ethical and lawful. He must also know that this is not abortion, which is described by the Medical Council as deliberate, intentional destruction of unborn human life.
In responding to Dr McKenna in your Letters columns (July 8th, 1998) I stated: "Abortion is an emotive issue. It behoves everyone, but especially those in the health care professions, to be altogether objective in our approach to this distressing problem. My advice, as a more senior colleague, would be to `try not to muddy the water'."
Unfortunately, the Master of the Rotunda Hospital seems unable to accept such advice - and for what purpose? - Yours, etc.,
Eamon O'Dwyer, Professor Emeritus of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, (NUI Galway), Lower Taylor's Hill, Galway.