video transcript

Thousands gather for a candle-lit vigil in Ireland in protest against the country's strict abortion laws after the death of pregnant Indian woman Savita Halappanavar. The 31-year-old died of blood poisoning at University Hospital Galway a week after miscarrying 17 weeks into her pregnancy. Her husband said her repeated requests for a termination were rejected because of a feotal heartbeat. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER SAYING: "I'm glad it came out because I'm a grandmother and I'm a mother and I feared that this day would come sometime." (SOUNDBITE) (English) PROTESTER SAYING: "It's just a huge shame that this woman had to die in such tragic circumstances and highlight the fact that there is a major absence of clear legislation in this country at the moment." In India, where the case has drawn widespread condemnation, Halappanavar's grieving mother said that Irish authorities should have taken their daughter's Hindu faith into consideration. Halappanavar's husband Praveen said he would take action against the hospital if no measures were taken by the Irish government. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said both the hospital and an Irish national team were conducting an investigation into the case. Abortion remains a deeply divisive issue in the overwhelmingly Roman Catcholic county which has some of the world's most restrictive pregnancy termination laws.