A young woman with anorexia is to be force fed following a decision in the High Court.

The 22 year old 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 HSE made the application supported by her parents, after the young woman refused 4 out of seven nutritional supplements in the previous 24 hours.

The order permits her to be fed through a tube immediately.

The woman who has had anorexia for 10 years and who weighs just 5 and a half stone did not accept that she would die if she refused further nutrition.

Her medical team believe that she needs to restore 7 kilos to her weight to allow her to be able to leave hospital.

The judge said everybody was trying to do their best for the woman who the court heard will die if she doesn't get the necessary treatment.