Newspaper Media
October 28, 2016
False checkpoint targeting VE supporters part of investigation, NZ police confirm
A false police checkpoint set up by police to target euthanasia supporters is part of a police investigation into a suspected assisted suicide in June, police have confirmed. Wellington Acting District Commander Paul Basham also confirmed that further deaths are being investigated as part of Operation Painter. “When we become aware of information that people […]
October 27, 2016
NZ Police admit using checkpoint to target euthanasia meeting attendees
Police have admitted they used a breath-testing checkpoint to target people who had attended an Exit International euthanasia meeting. The move has been criticised as an “unlawful checkpoint to interrogate pensioners” by one lawyer, while another said it was probably a breach of police powers. A complaint has already been laid with the Independent Police Conduct Authority about the officers’ […]
October 25, 2016
Tom Curran, partner of Marie Fleming, disappointed at inquiry
Fiona Gartland, The Irish Times
Tom Curran, the partner of late right-to-die campaigner Marie Fleming, has said he is disappointed a Garda investigation is under way into her death. Ms Fleming died in 2013 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis, and having unsuccessfully challenged the ban on assisted suicide through the courts. Mr Curran told The Irish Times he […]
October 24, 2016
Did police use booze checkpoint to target elderly women at euthanasia meeting?
Wellington police may have used an alcohol checkpoint to gather information about elderly women attending euthanasia meetings. The women had been attending an Exit International meeting on a Sunday afternoon early early this month in the Lower Hutt suburb of Maungaraki. As they left, about 4pm, all were pulled over at the checkpoint and – before being […]
October 24, 2016
Nitschke’s Handbook sold to different buyer
Caroline Overington, The Australian
Could there be two families with the unusual surname Manrique, both in Sydney, both seeking advice on how to die peacefully? It seemed unlikely, and so when Exit International founder Philip Nitschke heard a family of that name had died of deliberate carbon monoxide poisoning, he assumed it was the same ÂManrique who had downloaded […]
October 22, 2016
Police seize euthanasia advocate’s helium balloon kit
Patsy McGrath was surprised to see two policemen turn up on the doorstep of her Nelson home. She was even more stunned when they presented a warrant to seize her store-bought helium balloon kit. Acting on directions from Wellington police, the policemen explained they had grounds to believe they would find those materials, which were evidence in respect of […]