By Sam Webb PUBLISHED: 05:39 EST, 8 April 2013 | UPDATED: 17:39 EST, 8 April 2013 An Indian dentist who died after a miscarriage was told she could not have an abortion in Ireland because a doctor told her 'this is a Catholic country', her widower claimed. Savita Halappanavar was 17 weeks pregnant when admitted to University Hospital Galway on October 21 last year and died a week later from suspected septicaemia, days after she lost her baby. The 31-year-old's widower, Praveen, told an inquest that they repeatedly requested a potentially life-saving termination but were refused because the foetal heartbeat was present.
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Praveen Halappanavar's wife Savita died from suspected septicaemia
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He claims a potentially live-saving abortion was denied to her in Ireland
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A consultant allegedly told them 'this is a Catholic country'
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He is now seeking answers for her death at an inquest
He gave his statement to gardai two days after he returned to @placeholder amid fears that his memory would fade, the inquest heard.