Penelope Blume’s partner, Neil O’Riordan, addresses ACT coroner’s inquest into her death

Penelope Blume’s partner, Neil O’Riordan told a coronial inquest into her death she believed “that life was not measured in time alone”.

Penelope Blume spent the last day of her life in March with her partner, Neil O’Riordan, drinking champagne, listening to music and reminiscing about the decades they had spent together.

The next morning, Mr O’Riordan found himself being questioned by police in the couple’s suburban Canberra home, and later, in the city watch-house, charged with assisting in her suicide.

Penelope Blume, 68, took her own life in March. Picture: Supplied

On Tuesday, more than five months after ACT Director of Public Prosecutions Shane Drumgold SC withdrew charges against him on public interest grounds, Mr O’Riordan said it was now up to politicians to start rethinking whether should be allowed to introduce laws allowing voluntary assisted dying.

Mr O’Riordan, speaking outside the ACT coroner’s court after a brief coronial inquest into Mrs Blume’s death, said he always knew there would be a legal saga after helping his partner of more than 30 years to end her own life.

Neil O'Riordan. Picture: Supplied

“We always knew a legal process would have to take place, but I can honestly say that both the process and the (potential) consequences were not much of a factor in our decision making around Penelope’s death,” Mr Blume said.

Mr O’Riordan stayed by Mrs Blume’s side as she ended her life in the early hours of March 13 this year.

She had been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2016 and her symptoms had been deteriorating rapidly since 2017.

Neil O'Riordan (left) leaving court in July after the ACT DPP dropped a charge against him for assisting the suicide of his wife Penelope Blume.

Acting Chief Coroner Glenn Theakston on Tuesday formally declared Mrs Blume’s death a suicide.

Commonwealth legislation means any laws the Australian Capital Territory or the Northern Territory made allowing euthanasia would be have no effect.

“Accordingly, this is not a matter that Territorians, through their elected representatives, are permitted to decide for themselves,” Mr Theakston said.

“This is not the case for states.”

In June, laws came into effect allowing some seriously ill people to take their own lives with medical help.

Mr Theakston directed a copy of his inquest findings be sent to Commonwealth Attorney-General Christian Porter.

In a statement to the court, Mr O’Riordan said: “My life was richer for having known Penelope and having her as my partner.

“Penelope believed that life was not measured in time alone but rather, consideration needed to be given to the quality of that time.

“Her decision was made with a clear head in the best possible circumstance.”

Mr O’Riordan thanked police, who he said “displayed nothing but compassion while investigating what may have been a more sinister act”.

He said he knew before Mrs Blume died that he was risking potential jail time for assisting her to die.

He also thanked Magistrate Beth Campbell, who granted him bail after a night in the police lockup, which, he said, showed “compassion … (by) her decision to release me to grieve”.

He also thanked “Penelope … for everything”.

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