Irish doctor to end his life in Thailand

An Irish doctor, who's a strong advocate of euthanasia, says he intends to end his own life in Thailand next month.

The doctor, Paddy Leahy, who's eighty years old, told Irish radio he was suffering from cancer of the bladder.

He said he'd chosen Thailand because he regarded it as a second home.

Dr Leahy caused a storm of protest in Ireland two years ago when he admitted helping a friend to die after he'd suffered a massive stroke.

In the radio interview, Dr Leahy said he'd helped some fifty people in all to take their own lives, and referred many more to other doctors.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service