A young Irish woman was 16 weeks pregnant when a blood clot caused her to suffer severe brain trauma.
She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared that she was brain-dead and had no chance of being revived.
But, while her family would like the young woman to be taken off life support so she can pass away, doctors are refusing to do so.
Why? Because of Ireland's strict anti-abortion laws.
In Ireland, fertilised eggs, embryos, and foetuses are all citizens in the eyes of the law.
This means that, because doctors can detect still detect a baby's heartbeat, the woman's clinically brain-dead body — against her family's wishes — must legally be maintained as an incubator, with her respiration monitored by machines.
The woman's parents are seeking a legal remedy so their daughter can be removed from life support; the case was adjourned until December 23.
News of this case comes just 24 hours after Health Minister Leo Varadkar said that women’s lives are put at risk because of Ireland’s laws on abortion and that the constitutional restrictions on abortion are “too restrictive”.
He added that, while the eighth amendment “protects the right to life of the mother, it has no regard for her long-term health.
Varadkar insisted: "If a stroke, heart attack, epileptic seizure happens, perhaps resulting in permanent disability as a result, then that is acceptable under our laws.
"I don’t think that’s right."
READ: WOMAN SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS IN PRISON - BECAUSE SHE HAD A MISCARRIAGE
Meanwhile, people have been expressing their shock over the case on social media:
Are you shocked that this has been allowed to happen? Or do you agree that everything must be done to save the woman's unborn child?
Let us know via the comments box below.