Members of the public have been warned not to use hospital emergency departments unnecessarily over the May Bank holiday weekend.
The warning from the Eastern Regional Health Authority (ERHA) comes as thousands are expected to gather for ceremonies and protests to mark the accession of ten states to the European union on Saturday, May 1st.
In a spokeswoman for the ERHA said number of events taking place and the "large number of visitors in the city for the EU accession celebrations could result in increased demand on the A&E services".
She said anybody who is seriously ill or injured "should of course go to an A&E department. However, people with minor injuries will be treated just as effectively and more rapidly by their family doctor."
