Pride organisers vow to 'stand together in face of hate' as flags burnt in Waterford city 

Gardaí confirmed they are treating the incident as criminal damage and said they "take hate crimes very seriously"

Mayor of Waterford Cllr Damien Geoghegan, who had originally proposed flying the flags, said it was a "disgusting" act. Picture: Waterford Council

Pride of the Deise festival organisers said it is “disheartening” that Pride flags erected outside the council's offices in the city were burned overnight as gardaí confirmed they are investigating the incident.

“We hope that the LGBTQAI+ community of Waterford will stand together and will continue to be visible in the face of this hate,” the organisers said in a statement.