People who live in North Kildare are to gather in Maynooth this afternoon, to protest against what they say are dangerous cuts to the area’s health budget.

They are worried about the level of emergency care available in the area, particularly the number of ambulances operating there.

Under current rules, Maynooth’s one emergency ambulance doesn’t operate on a thursday, during the day – instead there’s a stand-in motorbike service, and a doctor available in a car.

Ambulances though have to be brought in from neighbouring counties.

Martin Grehan  is helping to organise today’s protest – he’s concerned more cuts might be on the way: