North Cork war memorial in such poor state that names of dead 'illlegible'

Fermoy has a long military history and once had the biggest barracks on the entire island

Then taoiseach Bertie Ahern laying a wreath following the unveiling of the first World War memorial in Fermoy. Picture: Richard Mills.

A war memorial in a North Cork town, unveiled 20 years ago by then Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to commemorate more than 100 local men who died during World War I, is in such a poor state that names are now illegible.

Relatives of the soldiers who still live in the greater Fermoy area have become very upset at the way the monument has been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent.