Nurses want Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda to be taken off call for at least 24 hours because of severe overcrowding.

The INMO says there are 57 patients waiting for beds this morning resulting in hardship and inhumane conditions for them and for staff.

The organisation says a Major Disaster Protocol needs to be invoked at the hospital.

In a statement the INMO says trolleys are now overflowing to the adjoining corridors and the situation is deeply distressing.