Storm of protest brewing in West Cork

Q&A: Owen O’Driscoll

Sheets of freezing rain were driven by gale force gusts of wind and the square in Bantry was empty, still festooned with strands of seaweed left behind from the flooding that had occurred with the earlier high tide. Waves of twelve foot were reported in some parts and the entrance to many shops were still protected with an assortment of sandbags.

Hardly the ideal conditions for the planned demonstrations by farmers and their supporters, gathered to protest against cuts to their Single Farm Payments.