Bagging a real bargain

IT’S 9.30am and the queue is 20-deep outside the Irish Cancer Society (ICS) charity shop on Castle St in Cork.

The first woman in the queue has been here since 7am, hoping to buy two pairs of leather boots. Her friend wants to buy a Louis Vuitton handbag. Others in the queue remain silent for fear of being gazumped once inside.

“It’ll be a free-for-all in there in a minute. I’d give up my dinner for a handbag,” says one lady.