Event centre timing branded ‘cynical election stunt’

The Taoiseach’s sod turning on Cork City’s long-awaited €50m events centre later this week has been branded a “cynical election stunt”.

Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon last night lashed out at the timing of the ceremony as Lord Mayor Chris O’Leary confirmed he has been invited to attend Friday’s event on the former Beamish and Crawford site on South Main St.

Representatives of developers BAM, and the centre’s ultimate operators, entertainment giants Live Nation, will also attend, Mr O’Leary told councillors at last night’s city council meeting.