NEWS & VIEWS
from a CATHOLIC perspective

      DUBLIN (CWNews.com) - Ireland's leading euthanasia activist died last week of bladder cancer, according to the Irish Times newspaper on Wednesday.

      Dr. Patrick Leahy originally rose to prominence in the 1970s by publicly prescribing contraceptives in violation of the law and Church teaching. He was also a public supporter of the legalization of abortion. Contraceptives have since been legalized, but abortion remains illegal in the majority Catholic country.

      Later, Leahy became the lead campaigner for euthanasia and assisted suicide and made headlines last year when he announced he would travel to Thailand to commit suicide, but changed his plans when he learned that the practice is also illegal in that country. Leahy also claimed to have killed 50 people in assisted suicides and euthanasias.

      Leahy's family said he died in his sleep at home in Dublin last week.