A complete ban on the use of electro convulsive shock therapy (ECT) in Ireland was called for at a public demonstration against the treatment held in Cork city yesterday.
A small group of some 30 people, including former ECT patients, turned out in the pouring rain to voice their opposition to the controversial treatment.
The demonstration, which was held at Daunt Square, was organised by human rights group MindFreedom Ireland.
Director of the advocacy group Mary Maddock, who describes herself as an "ECT survivor", called for a total ban on the therapy which she said caused her to suffer memory loss and other problems.
"Two-thirds of those who get ECT are women. Mothers and grandmothers are the chief recipients of ECT. We held our public demonstration in conjunction with MindFreedom International who held two other protests in Montreal and Toronto also today, which is Women's Day in Canada," she explained.
The event was attended by Cork MEP Kathy Sinnott who said some 800 people receive the treatment every year in Ireland. Independent health candidate for Cork North Central, John McCarthy, said the practice should be completely banned.
