An engineering expert who helped advise the Italian government on flood defences in Venice insists that the river Lee dams can protect Cork from river flooding without the need for "high walls".

A local authority's decision to grant planning for a controversial €6m road upgrade into Cork's sprawling south docklands is facing a legal challenge.

Campaigners in Cork are urging a rethink of a proposed roads revamp in the city docklands which, they say, is the start of the city’s flood defence works.

Work on the first flood defences in Cork City could get under way before the end of the year after a €6m quay regeneration project got the green light last night.

The €6m revamp of an historic Cork city quay which will include the city's first flood defences has been given the go-ahead.