A middle-aged man begging on the street was threatened by a man wielding a Stanley-type blade that he would “get it in the gut” if he did not hand over his money, it was alleged yesterday.

An Oireachtas dommittee wrote to the justice minister in March 2013 highlighting the need to tackle the huge increase in illegal cigarette smuggling.

Stubbing out the sale of contraband tobacco is going to be a big job for law enforcement. Sean O’Riordan goes undercover with those attempting to do just that and finds out how easy it is to pick up a prohibited 20-pack in Cork City.