57 patients left on trolleys at Tallaght A&E

Fifty-seven people were left waiting on trolleys in the accident and emergency department of Tallaght Hospital last night, according to the Irish Nurses Organisation.

The INO said the overcrowding situation in the hospital last night was the worst it had ever seen, with more than 20 serious cases also awaiting treatment in the A&E waiting room.

Overcrowding has also been reported in other hospitals in the Dublin region and the public has been urged to stay away from A&E units in the capital unless absolutely necessary.