US "gangsta" rapper Dr Dre is the latest global media icon to set up a tax base in Ireland.

The Co Cork town of Clonakilty is better known for black puddings than hip hop, but it has emerged as the unlikely base for three companies in the rapper's global headphones business.

Dre's Beats group includes three Irish companies, all with the same registered office in the west Cork town.

According to documents filed with the Companies Office, Beats Electronics Services, Beats Electronics International and Beats Electronics Holding Ltd have their registered offices at an accountancy firm in Clonakilty.

The three companies share a mix of Irish and US-based directors, but have no known presence on the ground here.

Irish Independent