An application for a gaming licence for an arcade in Mitchelstown has been dismissed in court - because of a 35-year-old by-law that specifically bans such businesses in the Co Cork town.

Cork County Council is continuing to increase the output of new houses with predictions for completions for this year at 744 rising to 897 in 2020.

Cork County Council bosses have said they won't pay for the setting up of 'reverse vending machines,' despite calls from many county councillors for them to do so.

An animal charity has slammed the level of cruelty in the country after a pony had to be destroyed due to what they believe were several savage beatings inflicted over several days and weeks.

Eirgrid is in discussions with Cork County Council officials to see if it is possible to use some or all of the proposed greenway between Youghal and Midleton to duct cabling for part of a €1 billion electricity interconnector between France and Ireland.

A controversial €6m road upgrade to help open Cork’s sprawling south docklands for more development has been given the green light despite claims the planning process was flawed.

Pupils due to attend a new primary school near Togher in Cork in September are facing uncertainty after An Bord Pleanála refused planning permission for a temporary site for the facility.

A special committee of Cork County Council is to look at the possibility of setting up women’s refuges and ‘safe houses’ after an impassioned plea was made by a councillor who described how she was once a victim of domestic abuse.

Several community groups will take part in the rally calling on the government to act on the shortage of housing.

The daughter of an American tourist who was killed at a dangerous junction on the N20 has pleaded with the chief executive of Cork County Council to consider options other than full closure.

Cork County Council should have the power to go on to private land to tackle invasive plant species such as Japanese knotweed because some landowners are ignoring calls to eradicate them.

Cork County Council is to examine if it has the power to grant a rates rebate to businesses seriously affected by roadworks, rather than seeking approval from the Government for such a move.

The chief executive of Cork City Council has defended issuing eviction notices to homeless people living in tents on a city quay.

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A free pre-Christmas parking scheme is being introduced in Cork City earlier this year in a bid to boost trade.

Eoin English reports on the latest developments from the Cork council merger plan.

A formal proposal by Cork County Council to extend the city boundary would leave it with a revenue deficit of €8.6m annually, considerably less than a near €50m per year loss if the Mackinnon report recommendations are implemented.

The proposed changes to Cork City’s boundary have already hit serious problems with Cork County Council stating it is currently not in a position to accept it after raising a number of concerns.

People will be able to report potholes, cracked footpaths, and faulty playground equipment and get their dog licences online on a new portal launched by Cork County Council.

Cork County Council has said it will be difficult to take legal action against people who put household waste, old cars and car tyres into bonfires, because in most cases they are minors.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Two key figures in the body which recommended a merger of Cork city and county councils have declined several invitations to appear before an Oireachtas committee.

Cork County Council will have fewer resources in the near future to contain stray horses.

Business group Ibec has defended its U-turn on the Cork council merger plan.

Cork City Council chief executive Ann Doherty outlines what she believes are myths being put forward by those in favour of a merger of the city and county councils.

The debate over the future of Cork’s local authorities has escalated to a war of words between two organisations representing businesses in the city.

Cork County Council will host the largest number of events planned anywhere in the country to commemorate next year’s centenary of the 1916 Rising.

The chair of the group which has recommended a controversial merger of Cork city and county councils wants to hold high-level briefings with those on both sides of the debate amid mounting criticism.

The Smiddy report on the amalgamation of the two local authorities in Cork has recommended the ratio of councillors to constituents be altered, especially in West Cork where their number has been reduced but the area of representation significantly increased.

The controversial proposed merger of Cork city and county councils will take years to implement with the environment minister admitting the required legislation will not be introduced in the lifetime of the Government.

“The city councillors will fight this tooth and nail,” whispered one of Cork’s longest-serving county councillors as Minister Alan Kelly unveiled the merger plan.

Cork’s two main business organisations are split over proposals to create a super authority to cover both city and county.

The first question one could reasonably ask upon glancing through the report recommending a merger of Cork City and County Councils is — Catherine Shanahan asks; will this actually ever happen?

A decision on the boundary extension for Cork has been delayed for decades and now amalgamation has been chosen as an easy political solution.

The main recommendations:

The environment minister was accused last night of engaging in “stroke and gutter politics” for asking a local authority to postpone the official opening of a multimillion-euro social housing project in Cork City until he was able to attend.

A war of words has erupted between Cork city and county councils during the review of the region’s local government structures after city claims it has identified a €5m error in county figures.

Government permission for Cork County Council to employ one extra person has been described by a Labour Party councillor as “absolutely disgraceful”.

The chief executive of Cork County Council believes the creation of one super local authority to administer Cork city and county is feasible.

A council house which underwent an estimated €30,000 refurbishment before Christmas was left vacant for months afterwards, broken in to and damaged.

Pledge as Cork Council advised to ‘write off’ €1.5m as uncollectable

Cork City Councillors are discussing one of their most difficult annual budgets in recent years this evening.