A Co Wexford woman, who lost her unborn son in a road traffic collision, is set to make a call for urgent legislative reform at a meeting with politicians at Leinster House.
Saoirse Aylward last week spoke about her frustration and deep sorrow that her unborn son Jax could not be recognised as a separate victim in a road traffic collision under Irish law.
Ms Aylward, 33, raised the issue at the sentencing hearing of the man for the road crash, saying her “frustration is more with the justice system” than with him.
Yurii Dudek, with an address listed in Ukraine, was sentenced to six months in prison for careless driving causing serious bodily harm to Ms Aylward in 2024.
Saoirse Aylward’s son Jax was stillborn following the crash
Speaking outside court afterwards, Ms Aylward said legislative reform was needed to address what she described as a “gap” in the law.
“‘Jax’s Law’ proposes that babies who die as a result of fatal road collisions during pregnancy are recognised in their own right within the justice system.
“This was not a single moment in my life. It has altered every part of my present and every part of my future. I have been given a life sentence and will live with the consequences of someone else’s actions that night for the rest of my life.
“My hope now is that some good can come from this, and that no other mother, no other grieving family, will experience the additional pain of discovering that their child’s life is not formally recognised within our justice system,” she said.
Ms Aylward and Colleen Langan, member of a second impacted family, are set to raise the issue and make the call for legislative reform when they meet with TDs and Senators at Leinster House later.
Yurii Dudek, with an address listed in Ukraine, was sentenced for careless driving causing serious bodily harm
The PARC Road Safety Group as well as Fine Gael TDs Emer Currie and Barry Ward will be among those also attending the meeting.
Speaking before the meeting, founder of PARC Susan Gray said: “We will do everything in our power to help this lady to get ‘Jax’s Law’ and the relevant legislation passed so that in future all precious unborn babies who die following involvement in a road traffic collision will be fully recognised within the justice system.”
“We have arranged a meeting at Leinster House between this family and others to discuss the way forward,” Ms Gray added.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan last week said the gap in legislation highlighted by Ms Aylward had been noted and would require “further consideration”.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said: “The minister wishes to extend his deepest sympathies to Ms Aylward and her family on the heartbreaking loss of her son, Jax.
“The minister notes the judgment in respect of this case and the matters raised which will require further consideration.”