Four counts in Cork County Hall saw huge gains for Sinn Féin, a revival for Fianna Fáil, the obliteration of the Labour Party, and a palpable appetite for new candidates.

It has become a familiar scene this week — children playing and splashing in the sea as the sun shines. But yesterday, in one popular seaside resort touched by a drowning tragedy, the mood was different, the laughing muted.

WOMEN will have a greater say in all decisions made by Fianna Fáil’s power structures after a series of proposals were approved at the weekend.