Stung by the Minister for Justice's refusal to be interviewed by it, the Longford Leader has criticised the "well organised" handling of leaks to the national media concerning the killing of John Carthy, who was shot by a Garda marksman in April. Through spin-doctoring, "the Garda Siochana and/or people working on their behalf have laid the groundwork for absolving any of their members from responsibility for the killing of John Carthy," the newspaper claimed. "Nobody will be surprised to learn that one police force, the FBI, have cleared another police force, the Garda, of any wrong-doing in connection with John Carthy's death," it stated, adding for emphasis, "surprise, surprise".
"The leaking of the Culligan report's findings and the FBI report was bad enough in itself but whoever did the leaking also availed of their access to the media to blacken the good name of John Carthy, his sister Marie and his mother Rose by implying various things which the people of Abbeylara know to be blatant untruths," it stated.
"But unfortunately for the local people and the Carthy family they are up against some of the most powerful vested interests in this State, who have access to the media and the clout to ensure that the media co-operate in publishing and broadcasting the version of events which the State and semi-State vested interests want broadcast to the public at large."
Only a full public inquiry would satisfy local people, believed the Leader.
A suspicious suitcase closed down the customs and duty-free areas of Shannon Airport for almost an entire afternoon last week while authorities awaited the arrival of the Army bomb squad from Cork. The Limerick Leader's editorial wondered why a bomb disposal squad could not be situated closer to the major international hub.
The Leader had nothing but praise for J.P. McManus, who will host Tiger Woods among others at the pro-am at Limerick Golf Club today and tomorrow. Mr McManus "has gone from gambler to high finance and is based in Switzerland, but Limerick is his home," enthused the newspaper.
The Mayo News defended the credibility of the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, whose comments on the actions of former Taoiseach Mr Charles Haughey meant, ironically, he "slipped the net as a direct result of the utterances of his most determined huntress." Her gaffe was "imprudent and ill-timed", yet "does not impact adversely on her political integrity", believed the News.
Speaking of integrity, the Western People commented on the Government's struggle to cope with "an intense period of self-inflicted trauma" in an editorial entitled: "Saved, but for how long?" The Guardian, also editorialising, described "the big turn-off" that politics has become for young people, as evidenced by the recent Tipperary South "bye-election" (sic). Bye to politics, that is.
"Quite simply they couldn't care less about elections, what party or parties are in power doesn't bother them in the least . . . A lot of damage has been done, a lot of trust has been broken, a lot of frustration and enervation has entered the scene and it will not be easy to remedy it," the Guardian warned.
The Kilkenny People reported on "growing concern" over the proposed sale of a valuable church property which dates back to the 13th century.
"Incredibly", commented the newspaper, gardai were called to St Canice's Cathedral on Thursday night to remove `gatecrashers' from a meeting of the Church of Ireland's Diocesan Synod.
The discovery of a precious metal was headlined by the Nationalist and Leinster Times with the cliche "There's GOLD in them thar hills". Well, not gold actually - tantalum, worth £42 per pound, and used by the electronics industry in items such as mobile phones and computers. Nor has tantalum yet been found in economically viable amounts, although its presence was indicated by the latest Geological Survey.
"I have been carrying out explorations for 30 years and maybe, just once, you might get something," laughed Bob Young of the UK-based exploration company, Angus & Ross.