Month: September 2021

THE WAIT IS OVER!

FESTIVAL MAGIC IS BACK AS THE GUINNESS CORK JAZZ FESTIVAL LINE-UP IS REVEALVED

• New York hip-hop legend Yasiin Bey FKA Mos Def makes first-ever Irish appearance
• Thrilling and eclectic mix of artists unveiled for the October Bank Holiday Weekend

Thursday, 30^th Sept: Today, Guinness has announced that tickets are now on sale for the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, Ireland’s first big festival in over 18 months. This October Bank Holiday Weekend, 22 - 25^th Guinness Cork Jazz festival is back in Cork City. Now in its 43rd year, excitement is building as music fans will get that long-anticipated thrill of hearing live music again.

Experience the buzz of performers coming on stage again, the hush through the pub as they then start to play, before the crowd erupts; with headliner acts including the uniquely soulful Matthew Halsall, a composer, trumpeter, producer, DJ, and founder of Gondwana Records, who will perform with a hand-picked ensemble featuring some of Manchester’s finest young musicians. The hugely popular Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, made up of seven brothers from the south side of Chicago, are back following sell-out performances in 2018. Closing the festival on Monday evening, Yasiin Bey Big Band FKA Mos Def will perform with a live band for the first time in Ireland and is sure to be one of the biggest shows of this year’s festival.

Other must-see performances over the weekend include Cork’s much-loved singer-songwriter Mick Flannery on stage with the critically acclaimed Susan O’Neill, Mack Fleetwood bringing you all the best hits of Fleetwood Mac, DJ Jenny Greene, King Kong Company and Kit Downes with his highly anticipated album Dreamlife of Debris live in concert.

Speaking about this year’s festival, Rory Sheridan, Head of Partnerships, Diageo Ireland said: “Ireland is brimming with some of the most talented and creative musicians, artists and performers, but during the last 18 months they’ve had no stage, no pubs, no venues or stadiums. We’ve all missed the hum of the crowd and the beat of the drum, so we are delighted to welcome back The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, providing a platform for musicians to perform and welcoming thousands of people to Cork to enjoy the festival atmosphere that we have all been looking forward to returning”.

Fiona Collins, Chairperson of the Cork Jazz Festival Committee commented: “One of the highlights for many will be the Fringe Festival which will see some of finest brass bands, New York Brass and Hyde Park returning, as well as more familiar local bands such as Rebel Brass bringing music to the streets of Cork.” Collins continued; “The festival committee is delighted to work in partnership with Diageo Ireland, Cork City Council, Cork Chamber of Commerce, Cork Business Association and businesses all over the city to bring jazz back to the streets of Cork. It promises to be a fantastic weekend, with an ever-developing programme, and it’s a fantastic opportunity to bring the vibrancy of the festival back to the City of Cork’.

Other festival highlights include:

• Special live debut performance of ChoiceCut’s recording project Mas Exodus by ChoiceCut’s Mark Murphy and musical director Max Zaska, supported by the Department of Culture & Tourism, and featuring some of Ireland's most talented musicians.
• Cork’s two inimitable and formidable jazz musicians, Paul Dunlea (Trombone) and Cormac McCarthy (Piano) who are joining forces in a set to include original Jazz compositions and also Xenia Pestova Bennett (piano) and Ed Bennett (live electronics) who will perform a radical reinterpretation of Bach’s famous Goldberg Variations.
• Jazz Festival Club at the Metropole Hotel will host Fans of Swing, Funk, Groove, Blues and Dixieland for an exciting mix of Irish and international acts on several stages throughout the hotel.
• The Jazz Music Trail sees the city come alive with the sights and sounds of this music trail that spans over 60 Cork venues. With music to suit every appetite, you’ll discover everything from ska to swing, jazz to brass as the trail leads you to every corner of the city.

To purchase tickets to the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2021 log onto; www.GuinnessJazzfestival.com

On the retirement of Cork's Chief Superintendent Barry McPolin, CBA want to thank him for his support to the Cork business community  over the last number of years. And so to mark the occasion, CBA Chairman Pat O'Connell, Board Member and former Chief Executive Lawrence Owens and Helen Murphy Business and Communications Manager visited the "Chief Super's" office this week. On behalf of CBA, Pat O'Connell thanked Barry McPolin most sincerely for his active help with security issues in the city throughout his tenure and congratulated him on the Garda response to Covid-19. Lawrence Owens also thanked him for being readily available to personally oversee issues raised by CBA and its members over the years. CBA President Eoin O'Sullivan sends Chief Superintendent McPolin very best wishes on his retirement and hopes the excellent relationship CBA has built with An Garda Siochana will continue with his successor.

Ardú Street Art project arrived in Cork October 2020 injecting a burst of colour, vibrancy, and life into the city in lockdown. Seven of Ireland’s most respected and renowned street artists were invited to create key city-centre locations, in response to a theme inspired by the 1920 Burning of Cork. Find work by Deirdre Breen at Wandesford Quay, Maser at The Kino, James Earley at Henry Street, Peter Martin at Kyle Street, Shane O’Driscoll at Harley Street, Aches at Anglesea Street, and Garreth Joyce at Liberty Street.

The Ardú team are delighted to announce their return to Cork city’s streets from today September 27th, until October 11th, with four more large scale murals to brighten up the city centre landscape. Commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level is the main aim of Ardú. The 2021 edition will welcome artists:

1) Friz

Friz is a Belfast based artist who works in both traditional and digital mediums, currently focused on spray painting.

Her work largely revolves around the female form. It is a study in identity; who we are; where we come from and our connection to the natural world around us.

2) Shane O’Malley

Shane O’Malley is a visual artist hailing from Navan, now based in Galway. His work explores colour, forms and symbols through painting. It is a meeting point of a studio practice and mural art painted in public spaces.

Shane’s strong use of colour stems from his origins in graffiti culture. Shane began painting graffiti in 2001 drawn to the act of writing his name, which was creative in one way while destructive in another. Drawing and painting created the habit of processing through the act of making. Shane is drawn to both the meditative slow process of painting with a brush in the studio and the faster act of spray painting and making art in public spaces.

3) Conor Harrington

London based artist Conor Harrington returns to his hometown of Cork for Ardú 2021.

His work draws a fine line between classical and contemporary art, and masterfully creates a world within those boundaries. A former graffiti artist, he not only still enjoys painting huge outdoor murals but consistently tackles new, inventive forms of art, often in a gallery setting.

Conor utilizes realistic images of people in his pieces, incorporating abstract elements to accompany his painted subject. His illustration of the human form is mesmerizing: he skillfully hones in on certain parts of the figure while obscuring others through the use of bold line work, superb shading and bursts of color within his creations.

Harrington has painted numerous street pieces across the world such as in New York, Miami, Paris, London, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Aalborg, Mallorca, Sao Paulo, San Juan and the Bethlehem Wall.

4) Asbestos

Asbestos is a street artist hailing from Dublin, Ireland. He specializes in mixed media artwork, combining mediums like photography and painting onto found objects. Asbestos has been contributing to Ireland’s urban landscape since 2003.

His portraits explore the concept of identity that are a conversation with two versions of his persona. “Each mask portrays two versions of myself, one alive and one dead. The dead version is a fictional character that represents me, if I’d been killed in a car bomb”. The bomb he refers to was a real one that went off in Dublin 46 days before he was born, 5 minutes after his mother walked past it. “I’ve always been fascinated about the fact that I may never have existed.” So each portrait is created by two versions of his persona combining photorealism and abstract naive strokes.

Ardú organisers Shane O’Driscoll, Paul Gleeson and Peter Martin are excited to present the second edition of Ardú to the public, in a safe space where you can observe the murals come to life outdoors “At a time when we face shared and personal challenges, each of our artist’s murals are a rallying cry to the city – a call to remember that we have been through terrible times before and we rose up. We can do it again. Having made such a positive impact on the city last year, we are excited to be back with another line-up of inspiring artists to transform Cork city’s streets.”

Friz is the first artist to kick off this year’s series, she is currently painting at St Finbarr’s Road, Cork. Further details on the Ardú Street Art project, including each mural location, will be announced soon. Keep up to date with the process by following Ardú on social media: Twitter @ArduStreetArt / https://twitter.com/ArduStreetArt | Instagram: @ArduStreetArt | www.arducork.ie

The following upcoming events may be of interest to our micro/ small enterprise members.

1) Learn about the Acumen Programme

This FREE lunchtime webinar will explain the Acumen Programme … how it assists businesses to explore the cross-border market and how it can open up your micro / small business to new customers, new revenue streams and new sustainable income.

29/09/21

13:00-13:45

Outline

• Information on what is available in terms of Acumen financial support
• Eligibility information - do you qualify?
• A breakdown of other ITI services including: Elevate/Trade Accelerator Vouchers, Brexit Advisory funding, e-Merge

InterTradeIreland can assist micro/small enterprises to source and fund the right people to help you increase your cross-border export sales in Northern Ireland to help you improve your knowledge of the market and identify new business opportunities.

Acumen funding is used to employ a sales person - either full time or part time - to develop the significant cross-border opportunity that you have identified.  ITI will fund 50% of their cost to a maximum of €18,750 for a full time position, or €10,000 for a part time position.

Book your FREE place here ….

https://www.localenterprise.ie/CorkCity/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/Acumen-Programme-export-growth-targeting-the-NI-Market.html

2) Innovate 2021

One of the keys to any successful business, regardless of its size, is innovation.  Developing new ideas is the fuel which will keep your business up to date.  Innovation will keep operations, products and services fresh.  Adding this fuel will make your business more competitive.

30/09/21

09:30-13:00

The event will be opened by Jacqui McNabb, Head of Economic Development and Enterprise, LEO Kildare and will host a number of guest speakers including:

• Frank Devitt -  renowned speaker, innovation expert and author of ARRIVE Frank Devitt
• Kim McKenzie Doyle – former President and current director of the Institute of Designers Ireland and Head of The Big Idea
• Tony Murphy – Workplace Innovation Engineer with IDEAS Institute”

Click on the following link for further information and to book online ….

https://www.localenterprise.ie/Kildare/Training-Events/Online-Bookings/INNOVATION-WEBINAR-2021-.html

3) National Women's Enterprise Day 2021

Join entrepreneur and broadcaster Aine Kerr and some of Ireland’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs and business women for a day of inspiration and learning on how you can build your future in business and what will help you get there!

07/10/21

To register your place for this FREE event, click on the following link:

https://www.localenterprise.ie/Portal/Enable-Enterprise-Culture/NWED/NWED-2021/NWED1.html#

Crawford Art Gallery

Free Admission - Family Friendly - Open Until 10pm

On Culture Night The Crawford Art Gallery is staying up late!

The gallery will remain open from 5pm till 10pm and entry as always is free.
Whether you are curious or a dedicated culture vulture, you are warmly invited to view the exhibitions in a safe, family-friendly environment.

Visit The Crawford Art Gallery's special Culture Events Page for more details on their programme for the evening.

Meet the Artist

Attend one of two events  (6pm & 7pm) in Sternview Gallery at Nash 19 – meet Helle Helsner and her current show.

Helle Helsner works with drawing, paint and metal, creating works about how we shape and are shaped by land.

Helle will talk about her drawing and sculpture works and will give insight into her making process in how she explores landscape and materials.

The award-winning Nash19 restaurant and wine bar is now open late until 9.30pm and will serve artisan food on the night.

Booking is essential as numbers are strictly limited. 

Tour of Two Exhibitions

Come and visit The Montenotte Hotel where you can enjoy two art exhibitions. Tours start at 6.45pm & 7.45pm.

Start with the Art Exhibition in the hotel foyer, which is in association with The Gallery Kinsale, which will showcase a collection of paintings entitled “There is still life” by Irish Artist Peter Dee.

To follow, relax and enjoy a glass of Prosecco and then travel to the new Sculpture Exhibition in the stunning sunken Victorian Garden which the hotel has created in association with the prestigious Kildare Gallery. A lovely cultural event with the most amazing views of Cork city.

Booking is essential as numbers are limited

Visit The Sculpture Garden at The Montenotte Hotel on Culture Night 2021

Exhibitions, Music & Poetry

This year Culture Night at Nano Nagle Place will be both on site and online. Their fantastic museum will be open, including the wonderful ‘Changing Habits: 250 Years of Convent Life‘ exhibition.

On Culture Night, Nano Nagle Place will be launch an new exhibition of photographic portraits by Clare Keogh, exploring convent life in Nano Nagle Place today to complement “Changing Habits”.

In collaboration with Munster Literature Centre, they will share a video recording of Eileen Ní Chuilleanáin reading poems at Nano Nagle Place from her book, ‘The Mother House’, winner of the 2020 Irish Times Poetry Now Award.

The series of Heinrich Biber’s Mystery Sonatas in partnership with the East Cork Early Music Festival will conclude. Violinist Caitriona O’Mahony will be accompanied by organist James Taylor to perform the Glorious Mysteries live on the night, while a virtual concert of the same will also be released via thier website.

Cork Printmakers Inflorescence exhibition in The Print Gallery, Nano Nagle Place will also be on show. The exhibition explores themes of biodiversity, botany and ecology and takes inspiration from its location within the gardens of Nano Nagle Place as a historic site of contemplation and reflection.

Karen Underwood @ Cork Opera House

Free Live Concert

Cork Opera House is delighted to host Karen Underwood’s Great Black American Songbook on Culture Night at 8pm

This is Karen Underwood going home to her roots. Karen and a piano; bringing you from the underground railroad to Cork City performing music from classic spirituals and gospel to Jazz and Soul. She will be accompanied by Daniel Murphy, making his debut on keys, at Cork Opera House.

Get on board this train visiting the music of artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and more.

“This is Vol.1 of my favourite tunes of the Black American Songbook. I want to share this experience with my Irish family. Looking forward to seeing you all again.” she said ahead of the event.

This event is free, but ticketed. Click Here to reserve tickets.

Beat on the StrEAT

On Culture Night this year, The Metropole Hotel and Harley StreEAT will welcome Son-Solar to play.

Son-Solar are a 9 piece multicultural band playing Afro-Latin music.

The gig will be outside on Harley StrEAT which features some delicious food and beverage items in the food market.

The event is free and The Metropole Hotel look forward to welcoming people to celebrate Culture Night.

Full Culture Night Programme

Pictured at the launch of Focus Ireland's Shine a Light on Homelessness campaign are (L-R) Mairead Twohig, Reporter, 96FM; Paula Cogan, President Cork Chamber; Alan O'Callaghan, Operations Manager, Spike Island,; Aisling O'Connor, Project Leader, Focus Ireland; Ray Kelleher, Hotel Sales & Marketing Director, The Montenotte Hotel, Helen Murphy, Business & Communications Manager, Cork Business Association

Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy are calling on business leaders, companies, employees and individuals across Cork to sleep out for one night on Friday October 15th – to help raise funds for vital homelessness services. Recent figures from the Department of Housing report that 413 people are currently without a home in Cork. The historic Spike Island has also been confirmed as a venue for Business Leaders sleep out for the first time since 2019 with a virtual option also available to  everyone to sleep on their sofas or back gardens.

CBA's Vice President, Kevin Herlihy has volunteered to take part in the Spike Island Business Leaders Sleepout.

Corporate support for Shine a Light Night is so important, as demand for Focus Ireland’s services has increased over the past year since the Covid-19 outbreak. This demand is expected to grow further as the economic impact of the virus continues to hit the country and impact the 8,132 people currently homeless in Ireland, including 2,129 children and 930 families in emergency accommodation. Bord Gáis Energy remains committed to its continued partnership with Focus Ireland, sponsoring the annual fundraising initiative – Shine A Light Night - for a third year; with both Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy hoping that the virtual sleep-out options will make this year’s Shine a Light Night safe and accessible to as many people as possible.

In line with Covid-19 guidelines, Focus Ireland and Bord Gáis Energy will stage in-person events with business leaders sleeping out in Cork, Limerick and Dublin. Event organisers are currently carrying out risk assessments at all venues and will continue to monitor the Covid-19 situation with participants safety a priority.

In 2021, Focus Ireland’s Shine a Light Night campaign, which has been supported by Bord Gáis Energy since 2019, is aiming to raise €1.5 million, with Ireland’s business community helping to raise the vast majority of this. For the second year, members of the public can also get involved in the initiative within their homes and gardens by hosting their own sleep outs to Shine a Light on homelessness in Ireland. Since the event began in 2012, Shine A Light Night has raised over €7.1m for people experiencing homelessness in Ireland.Ger Spillane, head of Focus Ireland services for the Mid and South West region said: “Shine a Light Night is our most important fundraising initiative each year and we have always been strongly supported by the business community in Cork. We are truly grateful for their involvement and support in driving funds to ensure our vital services can continue to help those who are homeless across the country. We are delighted to be back at Spike Island this year, restrictions and guidelines permitting, but will also be encouraging members of the public, work places, schools and universities to get involved in our ‘virtual’ sleep outs or on their own premisses if it is safe to do so. We’re relying on the support from businesses and members of the public to reach our fundraising goal of €1.5 million so we can continue to support those experiencing homelessness in communities nationwide.”

Managing Director of Bord Gáis Energy, Dave Kirwan said, “The past year has been incredibly challenging for many; however, we know those impacted by homelessness are particularly vulnerable and need our collective support and fundraising efforts. Everyone at Bord Gáis Energy is as committed as ever to supporting the crucial work of Focus Ireland in addressing the causes of this devastating social issue and increasing support for those who are at risk of losing their home. Last year’s virtual sleep out was hugely successful, showing the strong support of the Irish public to this worthy cause and I’d encourage individuals, families and businesses across the country to consider joining or supporting the campaign this year, giving one night to shine a light on homelessness.”

To register to take part in a sleep out and for more information please visit  Shine A Light 2021 (focusireland.ie)

Picture: Michael O'Sullivan /OSM PHOTO

Guinness confirms that Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2021 will be taking place this October Bank Holiday Weekend.

Music to the ears of festival goers!

On Wednesday 8^th September, Guinness confirmed that the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival will take place over the bank holiday weekend from 22^nd – 25^th October 2021.

The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, one of the biggest and longest running events on the Irish music calendar, was cancelled in 2020 in line with Government guidelines.

Speaking about this year’s festival, Rory Sheridan, Head of Partnerships, Diageo Ireland said: “We are absolutely delighted to confirm that the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival 2021 will be taking place this October Bank Holiday weekend, from the 22^nd – 25^th October. This will be the first major festival in Ireland since the pandemic to take place, which is a significant milestone not only for musicians and the events industry who have been one of hardest hit industries, but also for festival goers who have been waiting for some good news. We look forward to announcing full details of the festival including the line up over the coming weeks.”

Also speaking today, Fiona Collins, Chairperson of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, said: “We are delighted to bring the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival back to the City this year – we’re working through the programming and are excited to bring much loved performances, as well as emerging local talent, to the streets and venues of Cork this bank holiday weekend.”

Cllr. Colm Kelleher, Lord Mayor of Cork, also commented: “On behalf of the people of Cork, the local business owners, hoteliers, bar and restaurants owners, as well as all of the musicians who will be involved again this year in The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, we are absolutely thrilled to welcome back the Festival. The hugely significant economic impact as well as the vibrancy and energy it brings to Cork city and the surrounding area is unparalleled – there is nothing else like it. This is the great news that we all wanted to hear!”

Full details will be released over the coming weeks on www.guinnessjazzfestival.com.

The running pods within Frontrunners Cork allows members to reconnect after lockdown.

Frontrunners Cork has been chosen as “The Cork International Hotel Community Spirit Award” winner for June. The club provides a safe space for runners within the LGBT+ community to meet and run.

Frontrunners Cork was established in September 2018 and is part of Cork’s Gay Project. The club holds twice weekly runs on Saturday morning and Monday evening from Kennedy Quay and Kennedy Park. They cater for runners of all abilities and typically complete 3km, 5km and 10km routes.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Colm Kelleher presented members of the Frontrunners Cork committee with the trophy.  He said, “I am delighted to see Frontrunners receive recognition for the positive value and impact that they bring to our Community. Groups, such as the Frontrunners are so important for the LGBT+ community and I would like to congratulate them on receiving the Community Spirit Award. I hope that by winning this award, it will highlight the group for perhaps people who may not have been aware of it before now and encourages more people to join”.

Frontrunners Cork is the sixth monthly winner of the award which was established to honour volunteers who are making a significant contribution to their community. It sees a group or individual chosen every month with an overall winner selected at the end of the year. It is open to community groups and organisations in Cork from first-responders to community centres, victim support services to sports groups and those volunteering in the health and disability sectors.

Deputy General Manager of the Cork International Hotel Eoghan Murphy, added, “Frontrunners Cork is a very worthy recipient of the monthly award. We want these awards to reflect the diversity that is present in every community in Cork. The club provides a safe, welcome and accessible outlet for members of the LGBT+ community and is the first step to joining sports clubs and groups for many people. Covid-19 and the lockdowns showed that this club is more than an exercise group. It is wonderful to see the running pods back in action allowing runners to reconnect and enjoy the social and solidarity elements again.”

The awards, which are sponsored by The Carrigdhoun Newspaper and Gerald McCarthy Giftware, take in a large geographical area in South Cork stretching from Rochestown, Douglas and Togher to Kinsale, Crosshaven and Passage West.

The judging panel comprises a mixture of public and private sector representatives from the community.

The judging panel for this award was:

·  Carmel Lonergan - General Manager Cork International Hotel

·  Nicola Radley - Senior Executive Officer, Municipal District Operations & Rural Development at Cork County Council

·  Aisling Killilea  - Bank of Ireland Manager Carrigaline and Douglas

·  Vincent O'Donovan - The Carrigdhoun

·  Jack White - The Carrigdhoun

Nominations are open now: https://www.corkinternationalairporthotel.com/community-spirit-awards/

The Community Policing Cork City Division An Garda Siochana have asked the CBA to advise all members that the Gardaí have seen an increase in Change Scam incidents throughout the city.

There have been a number of Change scams in the past 2 months within the Cork City Division invariably in Post Offices, Filling Stations and City Centre Deli/Shops. In the scam, the scammers go into a shop and ask for change – typically wishing to change a bunch of €20 notes into €50 notes, or €50 notes into €20 notes.Then, when the person is handed back the change, they count the notes and slip some of them off the bunch of notes. Then, they tell the cashier they have changed their mind and want their original notes back.

EXAMPLE The culprits enter the store with €400 in €20 euro notes and ask can they get 8 X €50 notes from the cashier. The transaction is done when the culprit changes their mind and asks for the €20’s back and he gives back the €50’s minus 3 = €150. The cashier puts the €50’s back into the till and it is at the end of the day on doing the daily count the store realises that the €150 is gone. What the accused has done is that they (predominantly male suspects) have slipped 3 of the €50 notes from the bottom in a quick hand movement before returning same.

The same example is occurring in the reverse, presenting €50 notes and looking for €20 notes.

1. Culprits are going into stores buying €375 worth of cigarettes and paying for same with notes. Then they cancel the order looking for the money back and in a multiple of ways the slip trick of the notes is done with the cashier being left short.
2. Culprits are entering stores and requesting to buy Pay Safe Cardss ay to the value of €300 and in the whole purchase after exchanging the payment they request to cancel the purchase and in the returning of the money they look for the denominations to be changed and during this process some notes are skimmed from the bottom prior to being returned to the cashier.
3. In another incident Culprits purchased goods from a city centre store and having tendered the cash asked that the goods would be posted to the UK (Knowing this service was not available). When staff advised that this service was not available they cancelled the sale and in the return of the money carried out a change scam.

PO Advice

• Businesses need to put a change policy in place to a maximum limit  or decide a no change policy within the store with proper signage in place advising accordingly.
• It appears that cashiers are giving back to the culprits the cash they request back before they take receipt of the cash owed to them. The cashier should be holding both sets of money/cash on their side of the counter and once they are satisfied that both sets of notes balance, should they return the cash to the suspect, thus ensuring they have not been left short.
• It is clear that stores will have to raise alarms to a purchase that has been made and cash handed over and at that stage the culprit calls for the sale to be cancelled that they have changed their mind,extreme caution needs to kick in at that stage and any request for the changing of the notes into different denominations should not be entertained only the return of the exact denominations as presented.
• People requesting the change of large amounts of money from one denomination into another should be requested to go to a banking institution to assist. The reason being is that the banks only function with financial assistance and they will have the proper accounting procedures in place coupled by counter CCTV, monitoring the counting and exchange of notes. The culprits are using the purchase and the cancelling of the sale as the distraction tool where by going to the bank they will not have that Criminal ingredient.

Members should ensure that all staff, particularly new or younger staff are fully trained in note-checking procedures and in the importance of taking time to process cash transactions.

Crime prevention officer for Cork city, Sergeant Brian McSweeney urged businesses to take care around their policy relating to customers who seek to have notes changed into other denominations. “Parameters should be put in place that they do not have a cash change facility, or put a limit in place," he said.

As the city opens up and business will get busier with increased customers, please be mindful of the potential for increased criminal activity. All incidents should be reported immediately to An Garda Siochana.