UP to 80 people travelled to Bandon by bus from Cork city and Carrigaline to attend a house party, while one person was arrested for a public order offence.

However, gardaí became aware of the planned gathering, which they say would have been in breach of public health guidelines if it had gone ahead.

The event was scheduled to kick off early on Tuesday afternoon.

A garda spokesman said: "Gardaí liaised with public transport providers and put a significant policing plan in place in Bandon for the duration of the evening. During the evening, Gardaí spoke to some 80 people who had travelled to Bandon by bus. As per An Garda Síochána ongoing standard for possible breaches of public health guidelines, Gardaí engaged, encouraged and educated these people about gathering in large numbers. The groups were dispersed and Gardaí continued to carry out patrols of the area for the evening."

He added: "Later in the evening Gardaí made one arrest for public order as a man, aged in his late teens, was intoxicated and refused to leave the area as directed by Gardaí. A small amount of suspected cannabis was also seized from two people. "

In recent days, a video emerged online of a large number of people attending a house party in Waterford.

And in Kildare, up to 200 people are estimated to have turned up to a house in Kildare after a teenager invited people through a social media app. The invitation was shared and reshared.

The garda spokesman said: "An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all citizens to continue to comply with Covid-19 Regulations and guidelines for their own personal health and the health of the wider community during this ongoing Covid-19 pandemic."