West Cork's 'Tojo the monkey' site sold to the State 

US Air Force Lieutenant-Colonel Sean Cosden of the US Defence Attache in the garden of O'Donovan's Hotel, applauds at the unveiling of a statue of 'Tojo' a monkey belonging to an American Air Force bomber crew who crash landed their Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress outside Clonakilty town, West Cork Ireland on April 7th 1943. Picture: Julien Behal/PA Wire

The State has agreed to buy a landmark West Cork coastal site which boasts a remarkable connection to one of the Ireland’s most bizarre Second World War stories.

A major new outdoor public amenity and eco-park, which could facilitate a walkway between Clonakilty and the famous Inchydoney beach, is now a step closer following confirmation that the State is set to buy the White’s Marsh land, just outside Clonakilty town.