Firefighter hurt in Traveller stand-off

Gardaí have launched an investigation after a firefighter was injured during a tense standoff at a Traveller halting site.

The incident prompted renewed calls last night for the Spring Lane halting site on the northside of Cork city to be shut down.

Living conditions at the site have been described as amongst the worst in Ireland. Waste ground alongside the site has been plagued by illegal dumping for several years. It has also been the scene of several illegal fires.