Authority accused of using ‘slave labour’

A local authority has been accused of "endorsing slave labour" for deciding to proceed with the hiring of staff under the controversial Gateway scheme.

It follows confirmation last night that Cork City Council plans to have the first group of up to 70 Gateway participants in place by July or August.

They will undertake works in parks and reception amenity areas after funds were set aside in the city’s 2014 budget, acting chief executive Dan Buggy said.