More than 30 gardaí took part in early morning raids on three houses where they arrested four members of an extended family on suspicion of drug trafficking and money-laundering.

A Corkman accused of setting fire to cars in his neighbourhood asked for help yesterday in dealing with his alcoholism and health problems and said prison was not the place for him.

A woman who was caught in a taxi with €70,000 worth of cocaine against a background of drugs in her family home wept and spoke of her terror of going to prison yesterday.

Gardaí are to mount extra patrols in Cork City next Saturday in an attempt to quell any trouble sparked by bonfire night celebrations.

Gardaí in Cork have launched a murder investigation after a 31-year-old man stabbed in the city on Friday lost his fight for life.

A 35-year-old man is recovering in hospital following a stabbing incident in Cork this morning.

A 38-year-old man has been remanded in custody after he was charged in connection with a stabbing incident in Cork on Friday.

Two men have been arrested in connection with a stabbing in Cork yesterday.

A 31-year-old man was fighting for his life last night after being stabbed in the chest during an attack in Cork City.

An arson attack on a plastics factory in Cork caused over €6m in damage and resulted in 70 people losing their jobs.