An investigation is underway after a Garda was assaulted at a small anti-refugee protest in Cork yesterday.

Footage of the incident circulating online shows an anti-refugee protester holding a phone up to the plain-clothes officer and aggressively questioning him.

After about a minute, as the garda is walking away, another protester runs in from the side and appears to punch him in the face.

It happened in Fermoy at around 6pm yesterday.

A Garda spokesperson said the assaulted officer did not need any medical treatment.

“Gardaí in Fermoy are investigating an assault on a member of An Garda Síochána, that occurred on Oliver Plunket Hill, Fermoy, at approximately 6pm [yesterday],” she said.

“No arrests have been made; investigations are ongoing.”

There have been several small protests in the Cork town in recent weeks after 63 asylum seekers, including 24 children, were housed in a local convent.

Larger gatherings in support of refugees have been held in response.