63 assaults on Sligo Hospital staff in 17 months

There have been 63 assaults and physical attacks on staff in Sligo University Hospital since the beginning of last year.

Knifes or other weapons, like walking sticks, zimmer frames and bottles of urine, were used in 13 of them.

The HSE says many of the assaults were unintentional due to patients with dementia and other mental health issues.

Councillor Paddy Farrell, from Leitrim Village, is a member of the Western Regional Health Forum - he says the new figures are concerning.