Gardaí estimate that over 2,000 people have turned out at a hospital protest in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
A section of the Midlands Regional Hospital constructed in 1997 remains empty and members of the public are calling for it to be fitted out.
The protest has been organised by opposition parties in Longford and Westmeath.
The rally has assembled at the hospital and will later gather in the town centre where a number of public speakers will address the crowd.


















