The Garda security and intelligence section is to be hard hit this year with the departure of the majority of its top officers.

Former Garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has said she never sought to influence RTÉ coverage of the O’Higgins report into complaints from whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe, adding: “I have no idea how anybody could come to that conclusion.”

Nóirín O’Sullivan didn’t hear all the bad stuff that was going around about Maurice McCabe a few years back. She didn’t speak to anybody about it either.

The wife of former Anglo Irish Bank chairman Sean Fitzpatrick is claiming €40m in investments he had were mostly funded from loan accounts in their joint names.

“Bizarre” and “astonishing” are words not often pulled from the judicial lexicon but both got an outing at the Disclosures Tribunal yesterday.

Former garda commissioner Martin Callinan briefed celebrity solicitor Gerald Kean for almost an hour before a radio appearance in which Mr Kean questioned and criticised whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

The Disclosures Tribunal was treated to a splash of celebrity yesterday, but the tidings brought further troubling detail of how An Garda Síochána operated at the highest level.

Former commissioner Martin Callinan told solicitor Gerald Kean that garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe "had not cooperated in any shape or form" with an internal garda inquiry into his complaints, the Charleton tribunal has heard.

With beautiful views and a beautiful garden Trish Dromey, checks out this Glounthaune on a hill. 

Almost literally ahead of the class is 33 The Abbey, a four-bed, two-storey penthouse apartment within Cork’s Classes Lake, on the western fringes of Ballincollig.

This renovated and extended old farmhouse offers privacy and stunning views, writes Trish Dromey.

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has told the former Fine Gael member who made a complaint over Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s handling of health service abuse claims 20 years ago that the allegation will be examined.

Tommy Barker on the merits of a family-friendly Cloghduv property.

Trish Dromey sees huge potential in this small holding at Roovesbeg, Coachford which has 11 private acres.

There’s a glimpse of ‘the new’ to be had from the quite traditional No 19 Lima Lawn, in Cork’s suburbs near UCC and just off Magazine Road.

Selling agents O’Mahony Walsh aren’t shy about the charms of the three-bed semi-d at 5, The Heathers, in the Ovens/Ballincollig Classes Lake development by O’Callaghan Properties. 

A long, useful back garden, rising up in tiers behind No 4, The Willows, in Cork’s Classes Lake, is a bonus for a family looking for an affordable home, in a popular, modern development, around Cork’s Ballincollig and Ovens suburbs.

Now 25 years old, Belmont House at Cork’s Rathpeacon is “stylish, spacious and secluded,” says its selling agent Frank Walsh, of O’Mahony Walsh of this 2,800 sq ft home, on a site of 1.5 acres which includes a tennis court, and an elevated patio with views to Blarney Castle in the distance.

And our winners are:

Ballincollig, Cork €385,000

That hidden jewel of East Cork, Ballycotton, will be hopping this weekend as the Seafood & Shanty Ballycotton Festival (May 31-June 1) brings together fine local chefs, splendid seafood straight from the pier and excellent family entertainment.

Tommy Barker says this 1970s large detached house in Ovens, Co Cork has been freshened up to move with the times.

CARRIGROHANE, CORK €455,000

YOU know that old chestnut that sits on the end of brochures?

BALLINLOUGH, CORK €340,000

Four-bed detached homes relaunched for between €220,000 and €250,000. Tommy Barker reports

A FIRM that develops computer programmes to help children with learning difficulties has secured a €50,000 investment by taking top prize at an awards ceremony.

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton is to meet with the Restaurants Association of Ireland today to discuss JLC wage-setting agreements.

TAX revenues are continuing to improve on last year but are marginally below the Government’s expectations.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin says the Government has not reached any firm decisions on changes to Sunday pay and overtime rates for thousands of workers.

BACK in 2008, the autumn of the big economic chill, large detached houses were launched at Lisheen Fields, Ballincollig, near Cork city.

The Government has announced the establishment of an independent review of statutory wage setting mechanisms known as Employment Regulation Orders (ERO) and Registered Employment Agreements (REA).

CORK-based technology company, Sensl Technologies, has attracted €1.5m in new funding — led by a €500,000 investment by the AIB Seed Capital Fund.

A STUNNING end to the year was made with last week’s auction of Killahora House, Glounthaune, Co Cork.

THERE are a number of unique selling points with this house at 19 The Meadows, Classes Lake, Ballincollig.

KILLAHORA House at Glounthaune, Co Cork, is to go to auction this day week, and the sale of this prime farm about seven miles east of the Cork city centre should seal market sentiment in the south for 2010.

THERE’S nothing like a long, lingering driveway to stir fantasies of living like the quality.

Rose Martin is impressed by the quality and space of suave Stone Lodge.

MIKE FRANK RUSSELL, still boyish after all these years, continues to manage a startled look when faced with a tape recorder.

TWELVE were built and eight are now sold, giving a choice of just four properties at the new Lisheen Fields development in Ballincollig, Co Cork.

Coach Kieran Crowley will look to an experienced front row of Kevin Tkachuk, Pat Riordan and Jon Thiel to lead the charge against Ireland at Thomond Park on Saturday.

'Lord of the Rings' filmmakers Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro have called off their search for a writer to pen franchise prequel 'The Hobbit' - after deciding they are best suited for the task.