Barristers, solicitors and reporters all squeezed into tiny Court 19 yesterday as the girl at the centre of the latest abortion controversy sat quietly near the back of the room.
Miss D is challenging the HSE decision to stop her from seeking an abortion in Britain. She learned last week that her foetus has a brain condition known as anencephaly which will result in the baby's death soon after birth.
The pretty dark-haired 17-year-old folded her arms across her small bump as she sat beside her boyfriend waiting for her case to be heard. He brought the proceedings on her behalf because she is still a minor.
The young couple left the room as the court first dealt with a number of extradition warrant cases. Miss D had not returned when her case came up and Mr Justice Liam McKechnie heard that all parties involved were anxious to have it heard as quickly as possible.
The court previously heard that the teenager became the subject of a care order earlier this year because of the conduct of her mother. On hearing that her mother, Ms A, was in the building, Mr Justice McKechnie asked if she could be present.
Ms A arrived in shortly afterwards and the court heard that she was supporting her daughter's wishes. She told the judge she was seeking legal aid to be represented at the hearing.
If she did not secure legal aid, HSE senior counsel Gerard Durcan said the HSE would pay for her solicitor. Mr Justice McKechnie said it would be "unthinkable" if the girl's mother was not represented.
On being told that the HSE may seek a psychiatric assessment of the girl, Miss D's senior counsel Gerard Hogan said his client was not suicidal. Quoting from her affidavit, he said she was "naturally deeply distressed" that her baby would not live but she had said "I'm not suicidal".
Towards the end of the hearing Miss D returned to the courtroom and stood beside her mother. She moved to put an arm around her daughter but Miss D discreetly shook it off and sat down.
The judge agreed to hear Miss D's legal challenge tomorrow and the crowd swelled towards the door again carrying mother and daughter with it. Miss D rejoined her waiting boyfriend in a nearby consultation room.
