Lord Mayor defends cost of 1916 events

The Lord Mayor has reacted to comments by a Cork charity that 1916 events could have been better commemorated by putting money into homeless services.

The spend on the events Leeside came under fire earlier this year after RedFM News reported that over three quarters of a million euro was being spent on the 2016 programme of events in the city and county.

Cork Penney Dinners called on the government to divert some of the funds towards helping the homeless saying it would have been a more fitting tribute to the leaders of the past. 

A flag raising ceremony is taking place at 3pm today outside City Hall to mark the end of the 1916 centenary programme.

Speaking to RedFM News Lord Mayor Cllr Des Cahill says he doesn't believe it was a waste of money and he says the homeless situation isn't being ignored because of the 1916 commemorations:

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