Gardaí have issued a warning to Christmas revellers in Cork after a spate of mobile phone thefts from bars and nightclubs.

Improved journey times on the M8 motorway have seen Dublin gangs targeting Cork for burglaries, it was claimed yesterday, as three men were jailed for attempted burglary.

Thefts against the person have jumped by 40% in the last year, while the spate of burglaries continues to grow, new figures show.