The High Court has paved the way for an Irish teenager to undergo electro convulsive therapy – under reasonable force and restraint if required.

The girl, who’s in a specialised facility in the UK, is suffering from an eating disorder and severe depression.

ECT, involves the passing of an electric current through the brain and has a 50-70% success rate.

The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland recognises it as an “important and necessary treatment for severe depression” that’s only used when other treatments have failed.

The girl will now undergo 12 sessions after the order was granted on the recommendation of her doctors and with the consent of her parents.