Plug pulled on Cork's big festive lights switch-on ceremony

Council chief said event had become 'dangerous', with unknown numbers of people funnelled into a small space

City council chief executive Ann Doherty has confirmed that the plug has been pulled on a large-scale public lighting-up event amid concerns about crowd control. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Christmas in Cork will be merry and bright but there will be no large-scale festive lights switch-on ceremony because of health and safety fears.

City council chief executive Ann Doherty has confirmed that the plug has been pulled on a large-scale public lighting-up event amid concerns about crowd control.