Talks with planners over Islamic centre

Talks between Muslim leaders and city planners about an Islamic centre in Cork at the centre of a planning controversy are set to take place within days.

City planners have confirmed that a third party, representing Dr Fargal Radwan, the owner and developer of the Cork Islamic Centre on Shandon St, has been in touch with them to discuss the issues.

The centre hit the headlines last week when it emerged that the city’s planning department had issued a warning letter to Dr Radwan over how the centre was being run.

Planners have expressed concerns that the building is being used outside specific opening hours, and is operating as a place of public worship.

Dr Radwan was given four weeks to respond.

Planners have said they are happy to engage with Dr Radwan and hope the matter will be resolved through consultation.

“That’s our preferred option. If we have to go to court, we would view that as a failure,” the city’s head of planning, Pat Ledwidge said last week.

Leading Muslim cleric, Sheikh Abdur Raheem McCarthy, who is helping Dr Radwan to establish the centre, has said he hopes the issues can be resolved.

It is hoped that once opened, the centre will have public opening hours, an exhibition on Islam, and offer counselling services.