The numerous child abduction attempts reported by the Tullamore Tribune and the Wexford Echo had a disturbing similarity: in all the incidents a white van was used.
The Tribune said that on Thursday, January 7th, two incidents were reported involving a white van with an English registration plate. These followed several attempted child abductions in the Laois-Offaly Garda division since late December.
The Wexford Echo said that young girls in Cullenstown were "terrified" by an attempted abduction that led to the entire area being placed on "red alert". The incident occurred at 10.30 a.m. on January 6th (the day before the Tullamore incidents), when three friends, aged eight, 10 and 12, had just left the home of one of them and were walking the short distance to the home of another.
BMWs and the elderly, not vans and children, featured in another report. "Couples with BMWs" are "dumping parents in nursing homes," said the Connacht Tribune. A Galway TD, Mr Padraic McCormack, has predicted an "avalanche" of applications for nursing home care grants from well-to-do families now that means-testing has been done away with in the case of adult children whose elderly parents are applying for care.
Once an elderly person is considered eligible for care, contributions will no longer be sought from relatives.
Revised subvention regulations also oblige health boards to disregard a fifth of the old person's income when assessing an application, this sum to be retained for their personal use.
Mr McCormack forecast an avalanche of applications from wealthy families which could use up the subvention budget before the end of the year, so that old people genuinely in need of support would be unable to get it. He also said that adult children had a responsibility to their parents.
Are we seeing Ireland's first "me generation"? Putting yourself, rather than God or family, first has to be a sign that the silicon-valley careers brought by US companies have been accompanied by a Californian attitude to social responsibility.
In its editorial entitled, "Changing values come with affluence", the Mayo News said: "It is a trait of materialism that, the better off we become, the more isolated we find ourselves, and the less likely we are to concern ourselves with the common good.
"The `me-first' philosophy leaves little room for us to worry about how society is changing around us. The failure of authority, the morality vacuum which we are now beginning to experience, is not unique to Ireland.
"Ireland's new generation will - or so we believe - never again experience hardship or economic deprivation . . . but we may yet live to learn that we have made a poor bargain."
Street fashion may lead to compensation claims in Waterford, councillors fear. "Street paving a danger to ladies' high heels," said the Waterford News & Star.
The city manager, Mr Eddie Breen, informed a meeting of Waterford City Council that the new paving had been designed in an attempt to re-create the look of cobblestone, which would have been the original surface of the streets. But Mr Stephen Rogers was quick to remind the manager that "ladies of the day" didn't have high heels.
"I have to side with the ladies on this one," he added.
"I think Cllr Rogers has just secured the female vote in Ward Two," quipped the Mayor, Mr Brian Swift.
It was a serious matter, however, Alderman Paddy Gallagher told the gathering, since the corporation could find itself facing personal injury claims if the new paving remained in its present condition.
Fermoy District Court heard that Mr Dick Barry, a former minister of State, was fined £20 because he was among 20 people found after hours in a pub, said the Corkman. The publican, Ms Vera Barry, pleaded guilty through her solicitor, who explained that on this particular night a function had been organised to launch a book about a very popular former politician and local auctioneer. "It was a very nostalgic occasion," he added.
The premises were so crowded that it was difficult to get the people out, and the presentation of the book had not taken place until shortly before 11 p.m., the solicitor said.
Judge Michael Patwell, upon hearing that the publican had five previous convictions for similar offences, imposed a fine of £500 and endorsed her licence. "This is the sixth. It is time to say stop," said the judge.