A number of young people were hospitalised in Cork this morning, with psychoactive drug use as the suspected cause.

Gardaí were called to a house in the south side of Cork city during the early hours of this morning. According to reports by RTÉ today, one 18-year-old man is in a stable but critical condition, with several others also remaining at Cork University Hospital.

It's believed the group had taken 2C-P, a 'head shop drug' which is often used as an ecstasy substitute.

Cork's 96FM this morning reported that Gardaí "came upon a man lying naked on the road in the Greenmount area" before entering the house.

A statement by the HSE said the drug "is thought to have been one of the new psychoactive substances similar to those products previously sold in head shops."

The HSE added that "these drugs can be sold in tablet, powder or liquid form and are consumed at parties or clubs for their stimulant, mood altering and in some cases, aphrodisiac effect."

It goes on to warn about "possible contaminated ‘party pills"’ and advises people not to consume any unknown substances they may be offered.