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Serving Cork for 120 years EE - V1 EDITION NO. 34,800 THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2013 RRP: e1.50 Recommended retail price €1.50 03.01.13 40 pages of puzzles and colouring fun PLUS FREE calendar inside today In bumper Kidz Zone 6 3 1 2 1 4 5 6 4 1 3 5 Mountaineer Ian McKeever, on left, and Adi Roche, on right, with others at Cork’s City Hall, who took part in a charity cycle in aid of Chernobyl Children International. Picture: Ger McCarthy TONIGHT WEATHER L: 8°C Mainly clear Winds: SW at 8-16 mph Go-ahead for city cinema to become retail unit By ALAN HEALY PLANNING permission has been granted to turn Douglas cinema into a discount retail store. Despite objections from some residents, An Bord Pleanála have given the go-ahead for the redevelopment. The applicants, Brendan Flannery, Michael Coughlan and Richard Pratt had sought permission to demolish the front glazed area and modify the building to allow for the discount retail area and three smaller retail units. The application also sought planning for a new vehicle entrance from the East Village access road and 113 car-parking spaces. A letter with the application said that the opening of the 13-screen cinema in MahonPoint in 2005 had impacted on business in the Douglas five-screen cinema with the result it was no longer commercially viable. Cork County Council had granted permission for the redevelopment but imposed a number of conditions including the closure of the existing ● Continued on page two. Champion of kids Adi is so sad at the death of Ian McKeever saying he was a THE children of Ireland and Chernobyl have lost one of their greatest champions. These are the words of Adi Roche, a great friend of Ian McKeever, humanit- arian and adventurer. Mr McKeever died yesterday after being struck by lightning on Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. The 42-year-old had brought dozens of Cork children to scale Kilimanjaro as part of his national charity project. Students from CBC Cork and Clonakilty Community College were among those who conquered the moun- tain under his guidance in September. His commitment saw millions raised for causes as diverse as Crumlin Chil- dren’s Hospital, the Alzheimer’s Society By PADRAIG HOARE “He has left one of the richest legacies in Ireland’s history and will long be re- membered as an icon who lived in the fast lane and enjoyed every minute he was with us. I am personally devastated and numb today. My heart goes out to his loved ones, we have lost a great one. “He was a visionary who passionately believed in young people and the chil- dren of Ireland will be in mourning at his passing. He saw no class divide — there were kids that he mentored from all walks of life and his spirit drove them on to better themselves. “Ian may have been small in physical stature but he was an absolute giant of a man. He was a hero of mine and there is a huge void without him.” ● Tributes were also paid by Cork ad- venturer Pat Falvey — page three. and Chernobyl Children International . Ms Roche, the chief executive of Chernobyl Children International, said she was “absolutely stunned and devast- ated” at the death of one of her most cherished friends. The two had become firm friends since Mr McKeever turned up unannounced in her office in Cork 16 years ago, saying he wanted to help the charity. She said: “I have rarely, if ever, come across a person with so much charisma, drive, passion and zest for life. He had no interest in money or possessions and lived from one day to the next, always looking for adventure. He also was one of the most gifted storytellers I ever heard. CORK Northside Blarney Street T: 021-4393315 | Harbour Point Business Park, Little Island T: 021-4355506 Southside Industrial Estate T: 021-4316668 | Open: Mon-Sat 9.30-5.30 & Sun 2-5.30 WATERFORD Butlerstown Retail Park,Waterford T: 051-599036 | OPEN: Mon-Thurs 9.30-6 Fri 9.30-7 Sat 9.30-6 & Sun 12-6 BUY ON-LINE WWW.RIGHTPRICE.IE CORK & WATERFORD 4’ NAPOLEON TABLE + 4 CHAIRS WAS €699 NOW €359 5’ TABLE + 6 CHAIRS WAS €799 NOW €539 NEW YORK BEDFRAME 4’ 6” WAS €199 NOW €99 5’ WAS €250 NOW €99 EZ Living DOUGLAS CORNER GROUP INCLUDING STORAGE WAS €1499 NOW €1199
