from Lidl, saying it goes against the traders’ aim of trying to showcase the market as the home of fresh Irish produce.

Fishmonger Pat O’Connell who became synonymous with the English Market when he was photographed joking with Queen Elizabeth during her visit in 2011, said such practices were a source of frustration to many of the traders.

“It goes against the whole ethos of what this market is about – we take huge pride in being able to say this produce is fresh and it’s local but something like this goes against the culture of the market and what it should be about and what it is about for most traders,” he said.

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Opinion Line Presenter PJ Coogan told The Irish Times that Mr O’Herlihy had declined to come on air to discuss the matter but had confirmed off air that he was selling produce bought at Lidl.

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Listeners to 96FM reported seeing the same baby potatoes for 49 cent, but they were being sold at The Farmer stall for €1 per bag, said Ms O’Shaughnessy, who stressed Mr O’Herlihy was not claiming that the vegetables were local or organic.

The Irish Times was unable to contact Mr O’Herlihy for comment about the practice, which is not illegal. A spokesman for Cork City Council which owns the market, said they were aware of the issue and “the matter was in hand”.