Aja and Charles to travel to UK for birth of their child

The High Court has ruled that no order be made in relation to costs in the case of a pregnant woman who took legal action against a decision by the HSE refusing to facilitate a home birth.

The ruling which was made last Friday means that both parties will meet their own legal costs.

Aja Teehan, a university lecturer from Thomastown, who is due to give birth next month, had taken a case in the High Court following the HSE decision. Her legal representatives had made an application that no order be made on costs.

Speaking after the costs issue was resolved, she said she was now prepared to become a “birth refugee” by travelling to the UK when she goes on maternity leave at the end of this month. Her second child is due on October 13.

Last month Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley had decided that Ms Teehan, a university lecturer, was not entitled to compel the HSE to accept liability for the risk involved in a home birth when it did not believe the risk was justifiable.

Ms Teehan was not in court yesterday as she had used up her leave as a lecturer at NUI Maynooth in fighting the case.

Ms Teehan said to date they had incurred legal costs of nearly €11,000.

In good news the couple have been granted planning permission to build their home at Carrickmourne, Thomastown Co. Kilkenny.