Gardaí have today called on people to report any instances where they have been threatened or intimidated by people deliberately coughing and spitting at them.
Two people were arrested in Dublin for coughing at gardaí when they went to break up large gatherings of young people. Criminal investigations are under way in both cases, the two people have since been released after questioning.
Gardaí have also issued a warning today that people deliberately "coughing" at other people in public may be prosecuted for a criminal offence.
They have also called on the public to directly report any such instances to them and not to recirculate such reports on social media.