Close to 3,500 local blood donations made in 2023

The number of blood donations in Co Longford decreased by 25 per cent last year.

There were only 848 - the lowest figure in Ireland - compared to 1,144 in 2022.

Leitrim had the second lowest number, at 1,066, up from 865 the previous year.

Roscommon had the third lowest, at 1,554 - which was up 141 on 2023.

Stephen Cousins, head of donor services with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, says the sharp drop in Longford was due to a logistics issue.