A chara, – 237. I do have my homework, Sir, but it’s still in the pen. – Is mise,
Sir, – 238. They ran out of cement, Sir. (Dundalk CBS 1972, student in class 2E on being asked why the canals terminated at the Shannon) – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 239. The cows held me up, Sir (Country lad’s excuse for being late in 1974). – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 240. The cow was calfin’ (Kerry schoolboy who missed a day in 1988). – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 241. Had I a spoon, had I? – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 225 (February 15th) was not an excuse, it was a reason. It was my uncle whose hat was chased, retrieved, and returned by those kind boys from class 5B in Synge Street in 1952. He regrets the delay in thanking them but has been extremely busy (242) attending to matters of national importance. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – 243. You have quoted me out of context. 244. It’s just the way the cards fell. 245. Dúirt bean liom, go ndúirt bean léi! 246. He would have been the best farmer in the parish only for the drink! 247. It was the drink talking. 248. This American multinational has decided to set up in Ireland because of its dynamic workforce. – Is mise,
A chara, – 249. The Troubles. 250. Everyone speaks English anyway. 251. Businesses often seek to minimise their tax burdens. 252. It seemed like the right thing to do at the time. 253. My client has never been found guilty of anything. 254. The banks misled him. 255. The Vatican acted in good faith. 256. The matter is being dealt with by the Tribunal. – Is mise,
A chara, – 257. I was entitled to it. – Is mise,
Sir, – 258. I swear, Ma, I was on the pill. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 259. We don’t want to upset our American friends. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 260. We’re going for just one drink. 261. We’re leaving after this pint. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 262. The mocks are always marked harder. 263. I thought the sign was in mph. 264. Those scales couldn’t be right. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 265. If you’re buying. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – Thank you for the great read (Irishman’s Diary, February 9th and correspondents since). 266. That special price is today only. 267. They are all getting one. – Yours, etc,
Sir, – 268. The economists recommended it, the accountants supported it, the best available legal advice was sought, the auditors said nothing, it was considered best practice at the time, the majority of commentators in the news media were in favour, there was little if any opposition, and it’s all the EU’s fault anyway for assuming we were capable of managing our own affairs – they should have known we weren’t up to it and stopped us! – Yours, etc,