In Pictures: Largest-ever health protest takes place in Limerick city

MORE than 11,000 people marched through Limerick city this Saturday afternoon to protest over the overcrowding crisis at University Hospital Limerick.

“Listen up HSE, give us back our A&Es,” chanted the people of the Mid-West under an overcast sky during what is believed to have been the largest-ever health protest in the region.

The march, which included people of all ages from Limerick, Clare and Tipperary departed City Hall at Merchants Quay in Limerick city centre shortly after 1pm this Saturday before making its way via Patrick Street, O'Connell Street, Lower Mallow Street and Henry Street to Arthur's Quay Park where a number of people addressed the huge crowd.

WATCH: Thousands march through Limerick city for UHL protest

A minute's silence was also observed in memory of Clare teenager, Aoife Johnston, who died at UHL just before Christmas.

Speaking to Limerick Live, the organiser of the protest Michael Daly renewed his call on the government for change.

"It’s been a great turnout and I hope it results with the HSE reversing their decision to close the three A&Es (in Ennis, Nenagh and St John's) and reopen them. But if they don’t then this is not the end, this is only the beginning of a campaign of people power that will force change in the health care in the Mid-West," he said.