Ambulances have been damaged by deer and even a flock of racing pigeons in recent years.

Freya, from Newcastle, Co Tipperary, had been in the water with her friend along the Suir Blueway at around 4.20pm.

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

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