An air ambulance was eventually sent to the scene from Co Cork by which time a road ambulance had become available

The rule, reportedly signed off last Friday, means paramedics would have to leave their vehicles at a central location after their shift and drive home in their own cars, even if they are on call the next day

The initiative, run in conjunction with the National Ambulance Service, has assisted more than 1,000 people in their own homes during its first year. 

According to Siptu, the plans include cuts to overtime which would necessitate the dropping of 15 ambulance shifts across Cork and Kerry.

In some cases, delays of up to four hours were reported following calls to the National Ambulance Service

CRITICAL, which has volunteer groups across the country, said their responders have been tasked to a range of collisions in the last 14 months, ranging from collisions between cars, cars and pedestrians, and cars and e-scooters

The paramedic was treating a patient when the ambulance driver was forced to break violently to avoid colliding with a car which had pulled out in front of the vehicle

Siptu are being balloted for strike action in a dispute over reforms for the service.

The ballot is being held over delays in implementing changes to paramedics' pay and conditions

The alarm was raised shortly before 11pm on Tuesday

University Hospital Limerick has issued an SOS call for off-duty staff to come back to work

The incident occurred at around 6.30pm at Ballyalla Lake on the outskirts of Ennis.

Edmond Horgan (75) was left waiting after other ambulances were sent to calls deemed higher priority

The Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter, Rescue 115, was tasked to the incident