User:rorynoonanDate:25/03/2013Time:08:25:25Edition:25/03/2013Monmonecho250313Page:1Color:
EE - V1
MONDAY, MARCH 25, 2013
EDITION NO. 34,868
Serving Cork for 120 years
‘His smile would light up the darkest room’ Midleton mourns death of seven-year-old James
By PADRAIG HOARE
“JAMES had the most beautiful smile that would light up the darkest room — the entire town of Midleton is absolutely heartbroken.” Those were the words of Midleton town councillor Pat Buckley today as he described the mourning in Midleton following the death of seven-year-old James Casey Butler. James lost his fight for life at Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, at around 8.30pm last night, 24 hours after he fell into the Owenacurra River. His parents, Edel Casey and Paul Butler, were maintaining a bedside vigil when he died. James had been playing at Tir Cluain housing estate near his home with a friend when he fell into the river, which runs alongside the housing estate and the Mill Road on Saturday. Cllr Buckley, who knows the family, said he was known for his always friendly demeanour and sparkling eyes. “He was just the loveliest little fellow with a cheeky smile. You’d often see him out and about, playing with his friends with not a care in the world. “It’s absolutely heartbreaking and the entire community is numb. Midleton is shrouded with a black cloak of sadness today. I don’t know what anyone could say to Edel or Paul — they are lovely, lovely people and they are going through something that no parent should have to go through,” he added. ● See page three for more.
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Miss Cork is muy bonita A 19-YEAR-OLD from Monkstown is celebrating today after being crowned Miss Universe Cork. Nicola Meldrum, above, a UCC student of commerce and Spanish, won the coveted title at the Rochestown Park Hotel, describing it as ‘an amazing opportunity’. ● See page two.
Fermoy girl tops RTÉ vote TRAGEDY: James Casey Butler who lost his fight for life in hospital last night after slipping into the Owenacurra River, Midleton, on Saturday.
Paddy O’Brien, a long-time campaigner for the rights of older people has hit out at the delays in accessing nursing home care in the Cork area. — See page 18
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FERMOY teen Kelly Mongan, DERYH, topped the poll in last night’s live show of 7KH 9RLFH RI ,UHODQG. The 18-year-old who is due to give birth next month impressed judges with a Leona Lewis number. Charleville’s Keith Hanley also made it through to the next round. ● See page two.