Savita's parents hail legalisation of abortion in Ireland

Savita Halappanavar, a 31-year-old dentist, died at University Hospital Galway in Ireland in 2012 following a septic miscarriage after she was denied an abortion.

The Eighth Amendment in Ireland's constitution prohibited the abortion.

But, now the amendment stands repealed following a referendum over it last week.

Savita's family in Karnataka, where the political temperatures are soaring high, is now pleased as their daughter's death has become a reason for a major change in the catholic country.

Savita's father told ANI that he was elated as abortion has been legalised in Ireland. "I thank the Irish public who is responsible for this historic event," he said.

He expressed gratitude saying, "now I feel that justice has been done to my daughter, Savita."

"By backing a referendum to overturn the country's ban on abortion, I believe Irish people have paid tribute to the departed soul of Savita."

He also requested the Irish government to name the amendment after his daughter's name.

Thousands of people in Ireland voted for a change in the Constitution on May 25, in order to legalise abortion in a Catholic-dominated republic.

The Eighth Amendment, which was added to the Ireland Constitution following a referendum in 1983, had banned abortion in the country unless there was a "real and substantial risk" to the mother's life.