She has yet to sit down to watch a DVD — although now in her 80s, Noreen Minihan simply wouldn’t have the time.

A TD has claimed it may be illegal for a town council in Cork to use taxpayers’ money to mount a legal challenge against Environment Minister Phil Hogan’s plans to abolish the country’s 80 town councils.

Come home to Clon, the kettle’s on: that’s the motto of Clonakilty as it launches a programme of events commemorating its 400 years in existence — and invites emigrants back for a visit.

Nearly 10 times the rain forecast by Met Éireann fell in Clonakilty, Co Cork yesterday morning, leading to the third flood in the town since June.

The true grit shown by Clonakilty was rewarded yesterday when the West Cork town claimed the award for the country’s tidiest small town — 10 weeks after being devastated by floods.

Victims of the summer floods which devastated West Cork towns Clonakilty and Rathbarry are this morning waking to yet more heart-breaking damage, after torrential rainfall struck two months to the night after the June crisis.

The principal of a Co Cork gaelscoil says she is delighted that An Bord Pleanála has granted permission for a new school, which she has been seeking for the past 18 years.

Cork County Council urgently requires almost €10m from Government departments to carry out repairs after last month’s floods.

The Bishop of Cork and Ross has told insurance companies they “have a moral obligation” to pay out claims made by flood victims in the city and county and must do so “quickly so that people could get back to normal”.

With rumblings of insurance companies playing hardball, the situation in Cork City and county is as follows:

A massive community effort to tackle the aftermath of the flood helped restore relative order to Clonakilty within hours.

Sodden cars floating in flood waters, stock destroyed and untold structural damage — the town of Clonakilty will count the cost of yesterday’s flood for years to come.

A RIVERSIDE walk in Clonakilty which cost in the region of €70,000 several years ago may now have to be closed off at certain times because of anti-social activity in the west Cork tourist town.

SINN FÉIN may be poised to make greater gains in the local elections in Co Cork than Labour.

THIS is one constituency where there will definitely be changes of personnel.

YOUR report that Kerry towns are ‘plagued’ by boy racers (January 19) could have been written about any town or village in Ireland today.

TRADERS are preparing to risk fines and possible arrest by setting up an open air market in a west Cork town.

THERE are now no fewer than 35 ministers of various rank in the Government appointed by Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

A WORRIED mother awaiting deportation to Nigeria with her twin children — including an autistic boy — said she has no tears left to shed.

Fianna Fáil is to make a last desperate effort to hold its second seat in Cork South West after a party poll showed it was just a few hundred votes behind Fine Gael, according to the Evening Echo.

ONLY three Cork-based TDs are racing certainties to be re-elected to the next Dáil, according to a former minister — and bookmaker.

VOMIT and excrement on the doorsteps, vandalism, brawls and underage drinking on the streets — this is the graphic picture painted by residents of their home town of Clonakilty.

A NIGERIAN woman who faces deportation along with her son and his twin sister was thrown a lifeline yesterday when the Minister for Justice said he would personally review her file.

CLONAKILTY’S town councillors have clashed over whether a public order and vandalism problem exists in the west Cork town.

IT’S BEEN announced that another sub-post office on the Beara peninsula is to close - the fourth in as many years there.

IT was a minute before race night, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring — not even a mouse. Then all hell broke loose.

LAST Sunday was a great day for West Cork as two outstanding football teams from the region had a very sporting contest in the Cork county senior football final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.