A row has broken out in Cork City Council after the deputy Lord Mayor of Cork refused to accept a petition of 15,000 Irish Water boycott signatures from anti-water charge protesters last night.

“The freedom of one’s native city is a very special honour. But when that city is Cork City then it’s difficult to retain one’s humility.”

City Hall has defended the early switch-on of Cork’s Christmas lights this week.

A FIANNA FÁIL councillor remained defiant last night despite losing the party whip for breaking ranks and voting against the party on Cork City Council’s 2012 budget.

REFLECTING the diverse contributions of women in modern society, International Women’s Day was marked throughout the country yesterday through words, art, music and expressions of solidarity.