Up to six people are due before the District Court in Cork next week following an assault on two gardaí during the Christmas season.
The incident took place in the village of Coppeen, west Cork in the early hours of December 27th, after a teenager was arrested on suspicion of damaging a public phone box.
However, in a gesture of festive goodwill, the two officers chose not to keep the youth overnight in the station but to return him safely to his home.
However, when they arrived at the home of the youth at approximately 3.30 a.m., they were confronted by a group of at least seven people.
The atmosphere became heated and the two gardaí were threatened and assaulted by the group for more than 20 minutes, when reinforcements arrived from Garda stations in Bandon, Clonakilty and Skibbereen.
An investigation was launched into the assault which was described as "extremely serious".
Both gardaí will be out of work for some time.
"This is not only a serious assault on members of An Garda Síochána but also shows a complete disrespect for the rule of law by the people in question," a Garda source said.
Five people have been arrested in connection with the assault, while a sixth person is understood to be in custody.
All are due to appear at Dunmanway District Court on January 14th and a file will be sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions.