People working on the frontline of Cork’s homeless crisis say lives will be saved after gardaí raided a ‘Polish poitín’ operation which was selling hundreds of litres of illicit alcohol to rough sleepers.

A knife-wielding attacker was neutralised by armed gardaí during a simulated multiple-stabbing attack and hostage standoff inside a Cork City nightclub — believed to be the first emergency services exercise of its kind in the country.

A CORKMAN battled the highest spring tides in 30 years to become the first garda to swim the English Channel yesterday.

A GARDA who won a bravery award, for saving a man from drowning, is hoping to become the first member of the force to swim the English Channel next week.

A Cork-based garda has set himself the gruelling challenge of crossing the English Channel.