The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has issued an urgent appeal for blood donors, having released more blood than collected in past weeks.

To facilitate more donations, instead of the normal booking system, all permanent clinics will operate on a walk-in basis, with additional mobile donation clinics on the move around the country.

On Thursday, 30 June, you can find mobile clinics in Birr, Co Offaly, Virginia, Co Cavan, Kilkenny, Roscommon, Tralee, Co Kerry, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick with a final unit open in Mountbellew, Co Galway on Sunday. These are open alongside permanent clinics, which you can find at giveblood.ie

The clinics are opening in a move to secure an increase of 5,000 donations over the next eight weeks, to avoid the cancellation of elective surgeries due to a nationwide shortage of blood support.

IBTS Operations Director Paul McKinney said “for scheduled clinics after this week we are urging donors to book an appointment as usual and in particular to consider giving blood if they are eligible before they go on holidays.”