Power cut affects 500 businesses

CORK’S business leaders are seeking an urgent meeting with ESB chiefs after the city was hit by its second major power cut in a year.

Almost 500 city centre businesses were left without electricity after a fault in the network at about 1.20pm yesterday.

The historic English Market, which was packed with lunchtime diners and shoppers, was plunged into darkness. Dozens of shops, restaurants and pubs had to close temporarily after cash registers and other equipment stopped working.