Some 16 people are due in court this morning after a ‘serious public order incident’ in Cork city last night.

One garda was punched in the face and another was pushed to the ground after a large group of people became “verbally and physically aggressive” towards officers on Oliver Plunkett Street at around 10pm.

The incident began when gardaí on patrol saw an injured man lying on the ground outside a premises.

The crowd gathered on the street as officers tried to provide him assistance.

Neither of the gardaí that were punched and pushed needed medical attention and they both remained on duty.

Gardaí said pepper spray was eventually used to disperse the crowd as people became “increasingly aggressive”.

Shortly after midnight, a crowd of people again gathered at nearby Daunt Square, where they were also “verbally and physically aggressive” towards gardaí

Officers again used pepper spray to disperse the crowd.

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

They are now due to appear before Cork District Court from 10.30am this morning.