A judge yesterday quoted a British rock star as he imposed five-and-a-half-year suspended jail sentences on two men caught with €35,000 at Blackpool shopping centre in Cork.

The Anti-Austerity Alliance Cork City councillor and grandmother Lil O’Donnell said a combination of anger at the shocking revelations in the Anglo tapes and the introduction of the water tax, compelled her to run for election.

One of Cork’s largest credit unions has launched a €50,000 sponsorship fund to help celebrate its 50th anniversary.

A 12-year-old girl remained in a critical condition last night after being hit by a car outside her home in a suburb of Cork City.

Hopes of a significant jobs boost have been raised after technology giant Apple applied to build a new office building beside its existing European headquarters on the northside of Cork City.