Cork city officials accused of 'muddying the waters' in firefighters dispute

City officials were accused last night of “muddying the waters” in the Cork firefighters dispute by linking training course issues to the looming strike over the non-payment of back-money.

Tensions ran high during a meeting of Cork City Council last night as councillors tried to discuss the dispute in the wake of the overwhelming vote by firefighters over the weekend in favour of strike action.

Management insisted they are fully committed to paying firefighters what they are owed, but only “if they undertake all their duties”.