Gallery: Schools, council offices, hospitals... Meath workers take to the picket lines on national day of action

Thousands Meath public sector workers have taken to the picket lines today, joining tens of thousands across the country in the largest mobilisation of workers in Ireland in a generation.

Widespread disruption is expected as public sector workers in health, education and local services take strike action in a pay dispute with the government.

Nurses, doctors, teachers and council staff are among those taking part in the 24-hour work stoppage which is causing widespread disruption including the closure of schools and the cancellation of thousands of hospital appointments.

It is the largest strike that has been staged in Ireland in almost 20 years.

The action is part of a coordinated response by the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) involving nineteen affiliated unions.

Picketing began at midnight at local authority facilities across the country. Over the following hours workers in hospitals, ambulance services, schools, fire services, libraries and state agencies joined the nationwide public service stoppage.

Pickets have been mounted at Meath's primary and secondary schools, the ambulance headquarters in Navan, LMETB offices and Intreo offices.

THE HSE has cancelled all elective, day services and outpatient healthcare services across hospitals and community settings today. This includes routine hospital procedures, outpatient appointments, community-based services, day services, primary care clinics and other scheduled care services. HSE administrative services will also be impacted.

Home support care will continue for people with the highest care needs and those who are most vulnerable in line with approved derogations. Other visits may be rescheduled where clinically safe to do so. Services may also continue for some other home care clients where deemed necessary locally.

Emergency Departments, ambulance services are operating at reduced capacity, and other critical and time-sensitive healthcare services, including urgent cancer treatment and dialysis, will continue to operate.

Anyone requiring urgent medical attention should not delay seeking care. In an emergency, people should dial 999 or 112 or attend their nearest Emergency Department where necessary.

The public is asked to consider all care options before seeking emergency care. Injury units, GPs, GP out-of-hours services, and community pharmacies will remain available.

Healthcare teams are making every effort to contact as many patients as possible regarding their appointments and services. Patients do not need to contact the HSE. All cancelled appointments will be rescheduled as soon as possible.

Meath County Council Civic Offices, tourism offices and public libraries across Meath are closed, as well as Kells Swimming Pool.

The Navan Municipal District meeting scheduled for this morning has been postponed.

Members of the public are advised they can continue to contact the Council by phone and email. Arrangements will also be in place to respond to emergency situations.

Members of the public requiring urgent assistance outside normal office hours can contact the Council's out of hours phone service on 1800 445 335.

The Council will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates through its website and social media channels if required.

A second strike is also scheduled for 21st October.