Teenager weighed 3½ stone when she died

An 18-year-old girl, who died from pneumonia relating to anorexia nervosa, weighed just three-and-a-half stone when she died at Sligo General Hospital , an inquest heard yesterday.

Rose Ward, from Connolly Park, Tubbercurry, Co Sligo, who died on July 21, 2007, had dropped in weight from 14-and-a-half stone, Sligo Coroner’s Court heard.

The inquest opened in 2009, but was adjourned after Gerry McGovern, solicitor for the family, told coroner Des Moran the girl’s parents had unanswered questions and wanted to know why permission had not been sought from them to force feed her. Ms Ward turned 18 less than three weeks before her death.