A teenager has been arrested in Waterford in connection with an investigation into people coughing on others on purpose.

The boy in his late teens was picked up for a public order offence in Dungarvan on Monday.

Gardai say the matter is under investigation and that they’re treating reports of this type of activity seriously.

An Garda Síochána says it’s aware of ongoing social media reports in relation to persons engaged in ‘coughing’ at persons.

“Any member of the public should report such activity to An Garda Síochána and not on social media.

“This activity could amount to an offence under the Public Order Act or Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.”

Separately, a nurse says a group of teenagers surrounded and coughed on her while she was out for a run in Clontarf in Dublin.

Gardai are also investigating reports of a man coughing into the face of an elderly couple in Co Kildare.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan says gardai have the power to act on this so-called ‘corona challenge’:

“I don’t come from a totalitarian or authoritarian perspective here because I believe the gardai are there to help, they’re there to assist, they’re there to support, they’re there to advise.

“But, if more is needed we have the law. That’s why the Dail sat last week to give emergency powers in terms of assisting further the Gardai to enforce the new regime should they deem it necessary.”