A petition has been launched in support of doctor Eireann Kerr after she was charged with assaulting two police officers while under the influence of a date-rape drug she'd had her drink spiked with.

Eireann, 32, was enjoying a night out with colleagues in Londonderry in December 2013 when she blacked out.

A concerned taxi driver took her to a police station, where she lashed out at two officers, resisted arrest and bit one officer's finger.

Eireann was arrested for assault – but despite forensic analysis of her hair confirming high levels of date-rape drug GHB in her system, the court case went ahead.

The judge presiding over the case admitted the drug had been "surreptitiously administered into her drink with no doubt nefarious motives." GHB is also known to cause confusion, loss of consciousness and in extreme cases, death.

Eireann told the court that she awoke in a police cell, with no memory of leaving the bar and that the experience has left her "completely traumatised."

But because intoxication is not an accepted form of defence, regardless of whether or not the person in question has been spiked, Eireann was found guilty of two counts of assault, and risks being struck off the medical register.

The General Medical Council are due to begin an investigation into the case.

The judge said it gave him no pleasure in issuing the verdict and, since her conviction, a petition has been launched by Eireann's former boss, calling for the ruling to be overturned.

On the petition, Dr John Doherty writes:

 "Despite being the victim of a crime and being dragged through the courts with resultant public humiliation, it's a testament that Erieann [sic] has continued to practice as an anaesthetist and has excelled treating the public with care, consideration and compassion… It's grossly unfair that Eireann should face any charges, as she is the obvious victim here."

The protests come at a time when new research has found half of all women aged 18-34 feel they're forced to leave drinks unattended on a night out – thanks to rules such as 'no drinks on the dancefloor,' long waits to be served and having to leave drinks inside while going out to smoke.

Research also found drinks are being left for over five minutes at a time, increasing the risk of spiking.