Deputy Harkin is urging the Minister to open private hospitals to take the overflow.

Gardai are also appealing for witnesses - especially anyone who may have dashcam footage - to come forward.

Nationally, 593 people are waiting at hospitals across the country.

100,195 patients so far this year have been placed on seats or trolleys nationwide.

In some cases organs from autopsies carried out on children were kept for several years before being disposed of.

The figures count for one quarter of the entire national trolley waiting list today

While the number of positive patients in local hospitals is still low compared to earlier this year, health officials are urging the public to be mindful.

The five were sentenced on charges including rape, false imprisonment and sexual assault.