Senator Colm Burke, who was second with first preferences in the constituency byelection, told the Irish Examiner the scandal over Mr Murphy’s Dáil absence “hurt” his chances at winning a seat.

It was a good day at the office for Fianna Fáil, according to party leader Micheál Martin, and it was hard to disagree.

With business exceedingly slow at polling stations yesterday, it is clear the four by-elections have not captured the public’s imagination.

It is all eyes on Fianna Fáil in Cork North-Central where the party is scrambling to continue its presence in the wake of Billy Kelleher’s departure to Europe.

A strong finish to the first half and another burst midway through the second has moved Dr. Crokes within one hour of an eighth Kerry SFC crown this decade.

A Dingle side, backboned by county stars Tom O’Sullivan and Paul Geaney, comprehensively defeated Austin Stacks in a disappointing Garvey’s Kerry SFC first-round tie at Dingle’s Pairc an Aghasaigh on Saturday.

Just once have Dublin failed to score a goal against Mayo and their nine points were still enough to win in a dour

Councillor Padraig O’Sullivan has emerged as the victor at a Fianna Fáil selection convention to represent the party in the seat left vacant by Billy Kelleher TD in Cork North Central.

The city boundary extension will remove nearly all of Glanmire from the former Glanmire-Cobh municipal district.

Dublin’s second-half revival secured a deserved five-point win at a damp Dr Hyde Park, a result which was harsh on their hardworking hosts.

Goals from Con O’Callaghan and Dean Rock enabled Dublin to maintain their push for a berth in this year’s league final after overcoming a spirited Roscommon challenge in wet conditions at Dr. Hyde Park.

A county councillor is attempting to block the development of several new office blocks at Little Island in Cork amid concern it would create further traffic congestion.

Fears have been expressed that plans to ease gridlock in one of the country’s industrial hubs will not work properly unless a €15m junction is built to serve it.

A residents’ association plans to seek a judicial review after Bord Pleanála granted permission for one of the biggest housing developments ever planned in Cork.

The GAA’s new referees development chairman Willie Barrett believes the number of team officials on sidelines can be reduced after a spate of suspensions for managers and selectors.

Councillors are warning that a proposed multi-million euro housing development cannot proceed in an already traffic-congested town without an advance major upgrade of a seriously inadequate road infrastructure.

Cork city and county councils are still in dispute over Cork’s boundary alteration, which will be presented to Government today.

A major spat has broken out between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael county councillors as the fall-out over the proposed agreement on Cork City’s boundary extension continues.

The way the latest boundary extension story was leaked, compounded by repeated delays of a meeting to discuss its fallout, seriously angered many county councillors, writes Sean O’Riordan.

Fáilte Ireland has been urged to review its decision not to provide funding to Cork County Council for a major upgrade of facilities at Spike Island, which has been voted Europe’s leading tourist attraction.

There are differing views between residents and businesses in Little Island about the performance of the county council, but not when it comes to Glounthaune.

A property owner has offered to provide the authorities with land, free of charge, to develop an essential road into one of the country’s industrial powerhouses, now grinding to a halt due to traffic gridlock.

New information released by Cork County Council supports claims by a major business association that it pays vast amounts of rates, but has got little or nothing back over the years to improve its creaking infrastructure.

We pay huge rates and deserve far better infrastructure — that’s the demand from an organisation that represents businesses in one of the country’s busiest industrial estates.

Engineers have attempted to allay fears about major Japanese Knotweed infestation delaying a €8.1m flood prevention project in a Cork satellite town.

People living in one of the country’s industrial powerhouse areas have said they won’t tolerate having even more of it zoned for industrial purposes.

Gaps and inconsistencies in legislation are preventing the protection of an underground grenade factory, which was used by the IRA during the War of Independence.

Pedestrian safety is a priority in three heavily vehicular-congested villages, in major industrial hubs, close to Cork City.

An alleyway on the outskirts of the city is to be closed off to congregating gangs, allegedly involved in a number of assaults, drug dealing, and underage drinking.

A remote rural parish famous for its copper mines is set to get wired for the future.

An industrial powerhouse in Cork contributing €30m in rates is grinding to a halt due to traffic gridlock.

A campaign has been launched to extend late-night services on one of Cork’s busiest commuter rail lines.

Veteran Dublin forward Alan Brogan has admitted that returning to the semi-finals of the All-Ireland football championship without experiencing a tight game is a “challenge” that they must overcome.

The lack of competitive games this weekend ensured they passed without any major controversy, even as we get close to the summit of the football season.

Pete McGrath will end his boycott with RTÉ after Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Westmeath.

Conor Lane came in for a lot of criticism from Derry manager Brian McIver after Saturday’s qualifier against Galway. Was it with justification?

Meet the West Cork-based chef who hopes to bring home the bacon with his new range of crispy snacks.