After years in abeyance, Cork harbour’s infrastructural asset Marino Point may be poised for new uses and employment, subject to its multi-million euro sale being ratified by Nama in coming weeks.

Men used to flicking levers in dockyard cranes and shifting cargoes on ships went back to manual labour and wheelbarrow pushing, bringing a neglected garden back to life for children to savour.

More than 90 jobs have been created in marine research and the seafood processing sector.

TURNOVER at Cork shipping company The Mainport Group is expected to hit €60 million next year following the acquisition yesterday of rival Patrick Monahan (Drogheda) Ltd.