Ex-head of CBA Ernest Cantillon backs plan to merge Cork councils

The former president of the Cork Business Association has broken ranks with the group to welcome the proposed merger of Cork’s city and county councils, which is now the focus of a major legal challenge.

Entrepreneur Ernest Cantillon, who employs up to 160 people in his hospitality businesses, has backed the Smiddy group proposal despite the CBA’s opposition to it.

Mr Cantillon, who runs Electric on Cork’s South Mall; Sober Lane on Sullivan’s Quay; a restaurant in Dublin; a digital marketing business; and who held the position of CBA president for two years until last year, said he is 100% in support of the proposed merger.