Apology after protected shop front is knocked

A MAN who pulled down part of his protected shop front without planning permission has apologised and promised to restore it to its former glory.

Billy Ryan, who owns the WJ Ryan shop in Mitchelstown, north Cork, said the frontage was in danger of falling down and that work had to be done to save it.

The shop, which sells shoes, wellington boots and clothes, is a protected structure in the county development plan under the special architectural and artistic/social category.