It has taken a decade of sustained effort, but the problem of illegal fires on Cork City’s traditional June 23 bonfire night has almost been stamped out.

Emergency services are on heightened alert ahead of Cork’s annual bonfire night tomorrow, after fire fighters were attacked on the city’s northside.

Cork’s city officials have rejected calls for a bonfire ban at the city’s annual bonfire night celebrations.

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