A charity is poised to distribute Christmas food hampers to some 2,500 needy families across Cork city and county this festive season.

A development company set up by Limerick City and County Council to accelerate €500m of inward investment assets has hit back at claims it is “failing” to provide any housing units.

A homeless support service in Limerick city is experiencing drug overdose levels far higher than recorded elsewhere, research shows.

AMERICAN and Canadian troops yesterday rushed to a town left completely submerged by flooding and where health officials feared 1,000 people could be dead in that town alone.