Garda punched in face during public order incident

16 people are due in court this morning following what gardaí described as serious public order incidents.

At approximately 10pm last night, gardaí on beat patrol on Oliver Plunkett Street observed an injured man lying on the ground outside a premises.

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said: “As gardaí were providing assistance to the male, a large group of people gathered on the street and became verbally and physically aggressive towards gardaí.

“Those present refused to disperse from the area and a number of additional garda units arrived to the scene to provide assistance. Incapacitant spray was used as part of an escalated response to the developing increasingly aggressive public order incidents.”

One garda member was pushed to the ground and another member was punched in the face during the incident. Neither member required medical attention and they remained on duty.

“Shortly after midnight near Daunt Square, a number of people gathered in the area and again were verbally and physically aggressive towards gardaí,” added the spokesperson.

A total of 16 people were arrested in connection with these incidents.

All 16 are due to appear before Cork District Court this morning, Monday 26 August.