Sculptures of Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marconi, and a man who was involved in one of the greatest escapes in Irish history are to be unveiled in part of West Cork in a drive to improve tourism.

Finance Minister Michael Noonan’s home village was directly affected by the closure of its three nearest AIB bank branches, which shut yesterday along with 41 others across the country.

A major shake-up of policing is on the cards for Cork which will involve the axing of two garda districts.