Gardaí in West Cork are investigating an incident in which two vans connected to Irish Water were burnt out at the weekend.

It happened in the early hours of yesterday morning, and Gardaí in Bantry have described the incident as malicious.

It is understood the Renault vans were the property of a contractor working for Irish Water.

They have been removed from the incident scene near Bantry and will be forensically examined.

Chairman of the West Cork Voluntary and Community Forum, Finbarr Harrington, told Cork's 96 FM violent behaviour is not acceptable.

Mr Harrington said: "Frustration with Irish Water throughout the country is understandable. Peaceful protest can be constructive, but violent behaviour and criminal damage is not acceptable.

"We need a common sense appraoch if anything is to change."