A pioneering Cork-based initiative to cater for autistic and disabled shoppers has gone national after similar schemes were adopted by major retailers across the country — and even by a supermarket in the UK.

The acclaimed second novel by novelist Louise O’Neill is heading for the small screen after confirmation yesterday that a production company has secured the television rights to Asking For It.

The US singer tells Don O’Mahony how her grandfather’s passing has evoked memories of blissful childhood days visiting West Cork, and how it’s all echoed in her new album

Tommy Barker discovers a little slice of America’s Cape Cod/New England style down west in County Cork.

THERE are glimpses of the sea and beaches out at Inchydoney island from this modern-build,called Island View, tucked away out of storms’ way at a back road beyond one of the island’s causeway approaches, at Garranagoleen.

Name: Agnes O’Leary

Gardaí have sought the public's assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 45-year-old Patrick O'Driscoll, missing from Clonakilty, Co Cork since yesterday.

In just one week they notched up nearly 10,000 YouTube hits, broke into the top 50 of the Irish iTunes charts, attracted fans from as far away as Kathmandu, Boston, and France — and now they’re set to perform in Cork Opera House.

Two farmers in dispute over a right of way were told their behaviour amounted to “shocking rubbish” by a judge who convicted one of them for assault.

A 59-year-old man from West Cork sexually assaulted three girls by having them sit on his lap to steer his car on country roads and yesterday he was jailed for two years, as the judge said he was guilty of a gross breach of trust.

Former justice minister Nora Owen has said she was “offended” by the description of her ancestor Michael Collins as a “langer” in the official Rebel Week programme.

AS the recession has tightened its grip, more and more families have said tearful goodbyes to parents forced, through economic necessity, to leave their loved ones behind and, hunter-gatherer-style, jet off to jobs on the other side of the globe.

From in-laws to outlaws, it’s been a busy few days for Martina Hellen.

A convicted armed raider “touched himself inappropriately” while being interviewed by a probation officer, it emerged in court yesterday.

“D’you see that fine mare over there. Wouldn’t you know she was special from the way she stands out,” nudged the man with a funny hat, pointing his stick in the direction of a grand grey in the middle of the field.

South Western Services president Kieran Calnan has been appointed chairman of Bord Iascaigh Mhara, the Irish sea fisheries board.

Good location, great value

TWO years after the murderous Battle of the Somme, it was still a front being fought over.

A “CONTRITE” Fianna Fáil TD who received a one-year driving ban yesterday for drink driving said he wants to get back to work for his constituents.

PROTESTING fishermen were meeting in Cork last night to decide on what course of action to take following the lifting of their port blockades.

PURSUING compensation claims through the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) is four times faster and 70% cheaper than going to court, according to the PIAB.

CLONAKILTY, Co Cork handler, Thomas O’Leary, enjoyed the biggest success of his career when 20-1 shot Preists Leap stormed away with the Ellen Construction Thyestes Handicap Chase at Gowran Park yesterday.

THE foundation stone for a new €20 million office complex for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and Bord Iascaigh Mhara was laid in Clonakilty, Co Cork, yesterday by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.

GARDAÍ were last night trying to crack the case of a gang who swiped a safe full of wages from an egg and poultry factory.

SENIOR trade union officials have drawn up battle plans in the FÁS decentralisation dispute that could impact the Government’s entire €1 billion public sector relocation programme.

THE High Court has made an interim order restraining the deportation of a Nigerian mother and her two children.

ACTOR Liam Neeson revealed last night how his Irish hero, Michael Collins, brought him through a near tragic accident.