UP to ten ambulances are backed up at Letterkenny hospital this afternoon.
This photograph shows the extent of the situation which has unfolded in the last few hours.
Councillor Gerry McMonagle said it amounted to around two thirds of Donegal’s full ambulance allocation.
“My concern is has the county now initiated an emergency response and are 999 calls going to be answered in a timely fashion.
“Unfortunately the way things are today people ringing 999 will have to wait,” Councillor McMonagle said of the emerging situation.
In a statement just issued hospital group Saolta said Letterkenny has been experiencing extremely high numbers of patients.
“The emergency department at Letterkenny University Hospital has been extremely busy over the past week with on average 120 patients presenting for treatment every day. Yesterday 139 people attended the emergency department.