Security at the Midland Regional Hospital in Portlaoise has been reviewed after a man was found asleep in a maternity ward bed.

Staff were alerted to the incident in the early hours of Saturday morning on August 16th.

The man was not a patient of the hospital, but a member of the public who gained access.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) says a small number of patients were disturbed while sleeping by the incident and the gardaí were called.

The hospital has apologised to all patients who witnessed and were disturbed by the incident.

The hospital says it has reviewed security measures for the entire campus and is addressing the issues identified.

Reports say the man was found to be carrying a dead rabbit in his coat pocket.