Ireland vows free, fair inquiry in Savita Halappanavar abortion case

Crowley said he did not expect the inquiry would experience any legal impediments. He expressed confidence it would receive full co-operation.

Arulkumaran, the head of obstetrics and gynaecology at St George's Hospital, University of London said the team would over the next three days examine the case notes, look at guidelines and interview the various people involved in the treatment of Savita.

"After that evidence is taken then we will analyse (it) and there might be incidents where we might want to ask further questions and we will address these further questions to these individuals concerned," he said.

Other members of the probe team are Cathriona Molloy, a founding member of patient advocacy group Patient Focus; Cora McCaughan is co-chair of the HSE's national incident management team; Geraldine Keohane is director of midwifery and nursing at Cork University Maternity Hospital; John J Morrison is consultant obstetrician gynaecologist at Galway University Hospital (GUH); Catherine Fleming is consultant in infectious diseases at GUH; Brian Harte is consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care at GUH.

Meanwhile, Savita's husband Praveen Halappanavar demanded removal of Morrison, Fleming and Harte from the probe team as are the employees of Galway University Hospital.