Nearly €4m is to be spent refurbishing vacant local authority homes in Co Cork this year — in a bid to put a dent in the housing waiting list.

Permission to challenge a decision by An Bord Pleanála to grant planning permission for a large-scale retail development at the site of a former military barracks in Co Cork has been granted by the High Court.

A MAJOR trade mission to France has unexpectedly resulted in an offer to set up offices in China to promote Cork businesses.