A woman in Cork city was mugged while Christmas shopping yesterday evening in an incident described by gardaí as "horrible, random and vicious".

Finishing touches, and staff training among a multi-national barista workforce were in full swing on Cork’s rejuvenating Maylor Street yesterday in the run-up to the opening of a sizeable new cafe/coffee shop, Warren Allen Coffee, set to employ up to 15 when it officially opens its doors next Monday.

A large retail unit in the heart of Cork city’s North Main Street, with a distinctive cut limestone front facade has come up to let.

There are some Americanisms that bug me — like the use of the word ‘already’ out of context or the hijacking of the term ‘awesome’ to refer to anything from agreement to a nice sandwich.

FOR the human body, a doctor will assess a patient’s well-being by their general appearance and by checking their blood pressure.

THERE are a million and one sayings that people have used down through the years as inspiration to live life to the full, but #YOLO (You Only Live Once) is a phenomenon that has taken the world by storm.

Colourful interior couture, fabulous formica, larders choc a bloc; seaworn shelving and a bright copper kettle, (well orange really), all add up to this week’s favourite things for Esther N McCarthy.

Hopes of a major revival in the property market might seem somewhat premature after more than a quarter of lots at a major public auction in Dublin yesterday were either withdrawn or failed to sell.

A MAN in his late 30s was undergoing assessment at Cork University Hospital (CUH) last night after he allegedly stabbed a garda, stole his garda jeep and drove it to Cork Airport, where he tore off his clothes and rammed several vehicles.

TAXI DRIVER Peter Barry was sitting first in line on the St Patrick’s Street taxi rank, opposite Penney’s, when he realised something was going on.

BOOKMAKER Ladbrokes yesterday acquired five of the 11 Cashman betting shops in Cork city and county in a deal believed to be worth close to €1.4 million.

WHEN a man with a Spanish accent called a Dunmanway soccer player to discuss a forthcoming match with Liverpool, the recipient thought it was a wind-up.

OAK trees out of little acorns grow – and the proof of that will be the erection of a 6,800-seater stadium where fans of a local West Cork soccer team will watch their heroes take on one of the world’s biggest clubs, Liverpool.

ROY KEANE’S recent departure from Sunderland led to the usual ham-fisted comparisons with Cork people in general, and the current Cork hurling stand-off in particular.

DENIS HURLEY has more than 40 different ways of making rugby fans all over Europe see red.

TRIBUTES have been paid to Stanley Roche, the reclusive head of the Roche family retail dynasty, who has died, aged 81.

MUNSTER’S semi-final against Saracens in the Heineken Cup next Sunday is not yet a sellout, with the absence of the usual mad clamour for tickets possibly down to one thing — confidence.

TICKETS for Munster’s Heineken Cup semi-final against Saracens are on sale in Cork and Limerick this morning from 9.30am.

IN recent years, most towns in Munster have gone to great effort and expense to erect Christmas decorations.

TONIGHT’S Cork homecoming of the Munster rugby team will focus on a specially erected stage on the South Mall, Cork, at its junction with Parnell Place.

AH, the sweet smell of success. Blessed is the happy punter when his horse comes home a winner.

HICKEY’S hardware is to close its six shops in Cork and Limerick with the loss of nearly 80 jobs, it emerged yesterday.

Sustainable Energy Ireland (SEI) has confirmed details of the main public transport initiatives throughout the country for European Car Free Day 2004.

A visit to a specialist at Cork’s University Hospital today will determine the extent of the hand injury sustained by John Gardiner during training with the Cork U21s last Friday night.