The High Court has ruled that a young woman with anorexia can be force fed in hospital.
The application was made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) after the woman (22) refused four out of seven nutritional supplements in a 24-hour period.
She weighs just five stone and a doctor has said she will die without urgent medical intervention.
This case has been described by the President of the High Court Justice Nicholas Kearns as 'a life or death situation'.
The Irish Independent reports that the HSE application was supported by her parents.
It is understood the woman had anorexia nervosa for 10 years, and had been hospitalised in 2012 as a result of starvation due to anorexia.
Simon Mills is a barrister and former doctor. He says it is an extraordinary situation, and explains the rationale behind the ruling.
