More than 30 vehicles parked in the new Heathfield housing development in Ballincollig with occupants queuing overnight to secure one of the new homes when they become available at noon on Saturday.

Potential Cork homeowners queuing overnight to grab new Ballincollig houses

More than 35 people spent the night sleeping in their cars queuing outside a housing estate in Ballincollig on Friday in order to secure a new home.

In a further sign of the demand in Ireland for housing, the potential homeowners slept in their cars outside the Heathfield Estate at Carriganarra in order to put down deposits for homes when they became available at noon on Saturday.

It was the third phase of homes to be released for sale in the estate with the previous phases selling out.

House prices in Cork has risen by almost 60% since their lowest point in 2013.

The average asking price for a home in Cork is now €226,728 with prices in city and suburban areas much higher.

It was reported earlier this month that 700 people had registered their names on the Heathfield development's website and prices for homes in the estate increasing by €5,000 since January.

Heathfield is being developed by Cork company Murnane & O'Shea.