8 Puts it all together (JOINER) for couple (JOIN-) with Cockney girl (her = ’ER) (JOINER),

9 Puts (puts = STUP-) up with this without doing anything (-IDLY) (STUPIDLY) foolishly (STUPIDLY),

10 Don’t mention (OMIT) it’s nothing (O-) to do with Timothy (-TIM) coming back (OMIT),

11 Garda on street (a ‘uniform’ = UNIFORM-) gets it (-IT-) at end of July (end of July = -Y) (UNIFORMITY) in harmony (UNIFORMITY),

12 Looking back, two accountants (CA+CA = AC+AC = ACAC-) returning first class (AI = -IA) (ACACIA) with floral emblem from down under (Australian floral emblem = ACACIA),

14 For Pete’s sake (For Pete’s sake! = HONESTLY!) loved one (HONE-Y) hides paragon (saint = -ST-) with novice (learner = -L-) (HONESTLY),

15 Sounds like fight (“duel” = DUAL) on coach (CARRIAGE-) route (-WAY) (DUAL CARRIAGEWAY) is divided and moves in different directions (DUAL CARRIAGEWAY),

18 Break (HALF-TERM) to divide (HALF-) session (-TERM) (HALF-TERM),

20 Gals leaving Great Lakes (‘great lakes’ without ‘gals’ = retake = RETAKE) sit exam again (RETAKE exam),

22 Gatecrasher perhaps (TRESPASSER) to rest (rest = TRES-) uneasily with result (-PASS-) in hospital (-ER) (TRESPASSER),

24 Towns follow it (TIDY Towns) for competition in Trim (trim = TIDY),

25 Detective (DI-) meets revenue online (Revenue Online Service = ROS = -SOR-) over revolutionary (red = -DER) coming back (DISORDER) for breach of the peace (DISORDER),

26 Female (F-) gets it (-IT-) wrong (-S IN) (FITS IN) for part of the furniture (part of the furniture = FITS IN).

Down:

1 Firm’s (CO’s = COS-) method for speaking to audience (-MIC) (COSMIC) is out of this world (COSMIC),

2 Flipping poor result (no grade = NG = GN-), thanks (TA = -AT) (GNAT), buzzes around one’s head annoyingly (GNAT),

3 Makes a great fuss of (BROUHAHA) brother (BR-) where French (where = -OU-) have a couple of laughs (Ha Ha = -HAHA) (BROUHAHA),

4 Turns up, it’s a (its a = ASTI) sparkler from Italy (ASTI),

5 Coach (bus = SUB-) comes back to fit up Ronaldo (Ron = -ORN) (SUBORN) with bribe (SUBORN),

6 Part of New York (LI-) must (must = -TMUS) arrange evaluation (TEST) (LITMUS TEST) when the Reds go blue (LITMUS TEST),

7 Ships (FLOTILLA) everything (-LOT-) in stock (fill = F-ILL-) at beginning of April (beginning of April = -A) (FLOTILLA),

13 Creates confusion (confusion) swapping North (n) for Longford  (-LD-) (‘confusion’ to replace ‘n’ for ‘ld’ = coldfusion = COLD FUSION) in hypothetical type of nuclear reaction (COLD FUSION),

14 It’s for the man (for a man’s concubines/wives = HAREM) and for the women (separate part of household for concubines/wives = HAREM),

16 Bold (UNAFRAID) of Una (UNA-) to find father (-FR-) for assistance (-AID) (UNAFRAID),

17 Broadcast (AIR-) talent (-CRAFT) (AIRCRAFT) goes up and down (AIRCRAFT goes up and down),

19 Could be virtual space (e-space = e-lands = ELANDS) for making big bucks from African grass? (African antelopes called ELANDS live on grasslands),

21 In Kildare (K-E), one (-I-) theologian (-DD-) has one (-I-) (KIDDIE) child (KIDDIE),

23 Getting back Greek lover (Eros = SORE) is painful (SORE),

24 Sounds like they’re not happy (TUTS) with you (-U-) in race (T-T) on Sunday (-S) (TUTS).

1 Turns up, music (rap = -PAR-) in ship (S-S-) has energy (-E) (SPARSE) in short supply (SPARSE),

4 A (A-) sheltered bay (COVE-) around African country (-S A) is right (-R) (AS A COVER) for someone looking to hide (AS A COVER),

9 Officer (officer commanding = -OC-) under luminous light (NE-ON) (NEOCON) is involved in American politics (neoconservative = NEOCON),

10 Rich (ABUNDANT) sailor (able-bodied seaman = AB-) with a French (a = -UN-) infernal writer (Dante wrote Inferno) missing point (compass point east = e) (‘Dante’ missing ‘e’ = dant = -DANT) (ABUNDANT),

12 Yarn (twine = T-WINE) about bachelor (BA = -AB-) retuning with the French (the = -LE-) (TABLE WINE) drink for dinner (TABLE WINE),

13 Doesn’t look well (-ILL-) in foreign article (le = L-E) (LILLE) close to Belgium border (LILLE is on French-Belgian border),

14 Theatre seats! (FAMILY CIRCLE seats at theatre) Is this why those close to you are always coming around? (FAMILY CIRCLE),

18 Secret service (-SS-) infiltrate AIG (A-IG) Ireland and England (-NATIONS) (ASSIGNATIONS) secret rendezvous (ASSIGNATIONS),

21 They manipulate others (USERS) for those taking drugs (USERS),

22 Happy (GLAD-) returning first class (AI = -IA-) to hill (-TOR) (GLADIATOR) with circus performer (GLADIATOR),

24 Act (PLAY-) Othello (Othello = a Moor = -ROOM) over (PLAYROOM) in children’s area (PLAYROOM),

25 It’s fantastic (SUPERB) to take us (us = SU-) back for each (-PER-) supporting film (‘B’ film = -B) (SUPERB),

26 Popular travel agent in Star Trek (TIME WARP) is lead astray perhaps (WARP) after 2am (TIME) (TIME WARP),

27 Oh, go on do it (TEMPTS) for temporary workers (TEMP-S) around square (T-square = -T-) (TEMPTS).

Down:

1 Holy man (S-T-) rings African party (-ANC-), for your information (for your information  = FYI = -IFY), upset (SANCTIFY) to declare what is legitimate in church (SANCTIFY),

2 Article (A-) on Tommy (Tom = -TOM-) and Bobby (Bob = -BO-B) hiding Bond’s boss (-M-) (ATOM BOMB) is highly destructive (ATOM BOMB),

3 Some (some = SMO-E) arrangement around Turk’s Head (head of turk = -T-) (SMOTE) struck poetically with weapon (SMOTE),

5 Alteration near Eastburn (near Eastburn = SUBTERRANEAN) is under the surface (SUBTERRANEAN),

6 Can (CAN-) Donegal (-DL-) find the Spanish (the = -EL-) on top of it (-IT) (CANDLELIT) with so little means of seeing? (CANDLELIT),

7 Going through it (VIA-) with barman (-BL-) and sweetheart (heart of sweet = -E) (VIABLE) is possible (VIABLE),

8 Fawn leaves waterfront (‘waterfront’ without ‘Fawn’ = terrot = ROTTER) with unkind person (ROTTER),

11 It’s when all the fly-by-nights come out cursing (‘fly-by-nights’/ witches come out to cast spell/curse somebody = WITCHING HOUR) after twelve (WITCHING HOUR),

15 Could this have been the final one (last one) that broke the camel’s back? (Phrase: “The straw that broke the camel’s back” + ‘final one/last one’ = the LAST STRAW) No, this was the one that was unbearable (the LAST STRAW),

16 Holds drink? (BOTTLE) That has nothing to do with Down (UP) (BOTTLE UP) or Cork (to cork = BOTTLE UP),

17 Lays at the door of (ASCRIBES) a (A-) barman (-SC-) with small boats (-RIB-S) hiding engineer (-E-) (ASCRIBES),

19 Father takes a stand at this (Father/priest takes a stand at PULPIT) college (University of Limerick = -UL-) park (-P-) in hollow (P-IT) (PULPIT),

20 Don’t panic (be calm = BECALM) – it’s one of the problems trying to move the boat (no wind = BECALM),

23 Overturned university (uni = INU-) in this matter (-RE) (INURE) to accept toughening up (INURE).

8 One (I-) British politician (-MP-) is (-IS-) at height (-H) (IMPISH) of mischievous behaviour (IMPISH),

9 Haunt (FREQUENT) one after another (FREQUENT),

10 Lenin leaves frontline (‘frontline’ without ‘Lenin’ = frot = FORT) for stronghold (FORT),

11 Character (NATURE) has paperback (BOOK) (NATURE BOOK) edition of On the Origin of Species, for one (Darwin’s On the Origin of Species = NATURE BOOK),

12 Well-built (STURDY) upstart (start of up = -U-) between two streets (St + Rd = ST-UR-) has unknown quantity (unknown quantity = -Y) (STURDY),

14 Opening (DOOR-) to preserve (-JAM-) blood group (-B) (DOORJAMB) entering framework (door supported by DOORJAMB part of the frame),

15 Breaks up sentences (PUNCTUATION MARK), period (PUNCTUATION MARK),

18 Battle-axe (WITCH) at the Spanish (the = EL-) mass (-M) (WITCH ELM) grows up resistant to disease in Ireland (WITCH ELM / Wych Elm tree not prone to Dutch Elm disease),

20 Looking back, sue (sue = E-US) over party (-DO-) for Big X (‘Big X’ is a character in the film The Great Escape = -X-) (EXODUS) perhaps in The Great Escape (Moses led the Israelites out of slavery in ‘The Great Escape’ = EXODUS),

22 Man Utd (MANU-T-D) all over young one (young one = mite = -MIT-E-) (MANUMITTED) it released in the past (MANUMITTED),

24 Pressure (P-) on animal transportation in flood (-ARK) (PARK) out of game reserve (PARK),

25 Save (save = EVAS-) up to get charged item (-ION-) for dollar ($ = -S) (EVASIONS) – these are ways to avoid taxes (tax EVASIONS),

26 Boot is (boot is = OBOIST) altered for mouthpiece (OBOIST).

Down:

1 Ship in (IMPORT) marina (-PORT) behind island  (I-) on Monday (-M-) (IMPORT),

2 Ghosts leave nightspots (‘nightspots’ without ‘ghosts’ = nitp = PINT) for stout, for one (PINT of stout),

3 Compliment (THANK YOU) Hungarian leader (leader of Hungarian = -H-) in panzer (T-ANK) at General address (general/public address = YOU) (THANK YOU),

4 Turned hard metal (iron = FE = E-F-) with it (-IT) (E-FIT) as it’s a great help for recognising faces (electronic picture = E-FIT),

5 Not far (NEAR TO) from listener (-EAR-) in Bible (New Testament = N- T) with nothing (-O) (NEAR TO),

6 Mother (MUM-) gets best offer (-BO) on flight (JUMBO) (MUMBO JUMBO) – try making sense of that (MUMBO JUMBO),

7 Tell tales (INFORMER) up north (NI = IN-) to class (-FORM-) as religious education (RE= -ER) put back (INFORMER),

13 The German’s (The Germans = RACE) plan (-COURSE) (RACECOURSE) for The Curragh (RACECOURSE),

14 Obstruction (DA-M) over trade union (-TU-) (DATUM) – that’s a fact (DATUM),

16 Peacekeeper (United Nations = UN-) on island (-I-) controls flow (-VALVE) (UNIVALVE) to Shell all in one (one value or shell = UNIVALVE),

17 Practice getting in with immigrants (OPEN DOOR practice / policy) with clear (OPEN) means of access (DOOR) (OPEN DOOR),

19 Mary leaves radiometry (‘radiometry’ without ‘Mary’ = dioetr = EDITOR) to writer (EDITOR),

21 Bloc (UN-) to recharge batteries (-REST) (UNREST) at disturbance (UNREST),

23 To (TO-) call for silence (-SH) (TOSH) is rubbish (TOSH),

24 Mexican farm worker (PEON) gets writer (PE-N) to cover note (music note E = -E-) (PEON).

1 Turns up if (if = FI-) lawyer (-SC-) and gangster (Al Capone = -AL) (FISCAL) offering financial consideration (FISCAL),

4 Dash off (SCRIBBLE) in small boat (-RIB-) between two legal women (SC+BL = SC-BL-) with European (-E) (SCRIBBLE),

9 Didn’t do a good job (RUINED) with old broken castle (RUIN-) for writer (-ED) (RUINED),

10 Be awkward (OBSTRUCT) in block (OBSTRUCT),

12 Brings element (water) in to your house (WATER MAIN) – it will lead to charges next year perhaps (WATER MAIN)

13 Go over that again (RERUN) about (RE-) Dublin City marathon (-RUN) (RERUN),

14 It’s about (RE-) picking up gallery pictures (-COLLECTION) (RECOLLECTION) from memory (RECOLLECTION),

18 Is preoccupied (ONE-TRACK MIND) with Leopardstown (ONE-TRACK)? Watch out! (MIND!) (ONE-TRACK MIND),

21 Get the better of (OUTDO) common knowledge (it’s OUT) for swindle (-DO) (OUTDO),

22 Doctor performs (CHECK UP) switch (on switch = ON) (CHECK UP ON) to establish the truth (CHECK UP ON),

24 Could eat a horse (RAVENOUS) with Poe’s bird (The Raven = RAVEN-) going around (-O-) the States (-US) (RAVENOUS),

25 Accountant (AC = CA-) on board (-SS-) returns first class (IA = -IA) (CASSIA) with Senna (CASSIA tree),

26 Be suspicious of (MISTRUST) teacher (MIS-S-) admitting rut (rut = -TRU-) broken by troop leader (leader of troop = -T) (MISTRUST),

27 Poor result (FAIL-) for Lawrence (-TE) (FAILTE) at Irish reception (Irish welcome/reception = fáilte = FAILTE).

Down:

1 Gets rid of (FIRE-) a job (-WORK) (FIREWORK) in banger (FIREWORK),

2 Intelligence agency (-CIA-) jerk (-TIC-) in Salvation Africa (S-A) (SCIATICA) goes painfully down the back (SCIATICA),

3 Russell (A-E-) admits I (-ME-) registered (-R) (AMEER) for position of authority in Middle East (AMEER),

5 Taoiseach perhaps (CABINETMAKER) builds up bureau (CABINETMAKER),

6 Couple together (INTERLOCK) in old exam (INTER-) jam (-LOCK) (INTERLOCK),

7 It’s not clear (BLURRY) as dames leave lumberyards (‘lumberyards’ without ‘dames’ = lubryr = BLURRY),

8 Alien (E-T-) catching mystery man (-X-) on border (-END) (EXTEND) gets stretch (EXTEND),

11 They are great judges of potential (TALENT SCOUTS) ballpark figures (ball park/football pitch figures = TALENT SCOUTS),

15 Down (-DOWN-) in back alley (LAN-E-), resistance (-R) (LANDOWNER) to individual from estate (LANDOWNER),

16 Looking back, laid (laid = DI-AL) over things to dunk in liquid (-SOPS-) (DISPOSAL) for recycling (DISPOSAL),

17 First home (EDEN-) for modern type in London (-TATE Modern) (EDENTATE) with armadillo (EDENTATE),

19 Hans leaves monographs (‘monographs’ without ‘Hans’ = moogrp = POGROM) for mass murder (POGROM),

20 Could need pilots to fire these (STOVES could need pilot lights to ignite) in hot spots (STOVES),

23 It’s okay (Okay = OK = KO-) going back to a (-A-) city in America (-LA) (KOALA) with marsupial (marsupial = KOALA bear from Australia).

1 Looking back, star (NAME) to hold (-HOLD) onto home (HOUSE-) (HOUSEHOLD NAME) with Newbridge cutlery perhaps (HOUSEHOLD NAME),

10 Not at home (OUT-) to put on (-WEAR) (OUTWEAR) exhaust (OUTWEAR),

11 Lift (LU-G-) over graduate (-MBA-) with nothing (-O) (LUMBAGO) to do with disturbance around the back (LUMBAGO),

12 Like for like (the SAME) doesn’t make a difference (it’s the SAME),

13 Two (DEUCE) from here get advantage in court (in tennis, after DEUCE it’s ‘advantage’),

15 Tom (cat) wears boots (PUSS in Boots) to park (P-) near American ship (-USS) (PUSS),

17 Sounds like a dress for wife (“a dress” = “address” for wife  = MRS) in partnership (MRS is in partnership with Mr),

19 Splits down the middle (HALVES) Henry (HAL-) the Fifth’s (V’s = -V-S) hold on East (-E-) (HALVES),

21 It’s useful for qualifying word (ADVERB) from Dave (Dave = ADVE-) upset with brother (br = -RB) coming back (ADVERB),

22 Has a big shot perhaps (FIREARM) get rid of (FIRE-) 21 down (= ‘arm’ = -ARM) (FIREARM),

23 Be furious (SIMMER) at card (sim card = SIM-) send to me (-ME-) at end of war (end of war = -R) (SIMMER),

25 Turns up, star sign (ram = -MAR-) leads lawyer (-BL-) to Spain (-E) (MARBLE) with glass ball (MARBLE),

27 Initially, some said they distributed free clothing (commonly referred to as the “Free Clothing Association” = FCA) for old local defence forces (FCA was the Local Defence Forces),

29 Do an impression of (APE-) mystery man (Mr X = -X) (APEX) with tip (APEX),

30 Teetotal state (DRY-) with flower from Cork (River “Lee” = -LY) we hear (DRYLY) is spoken of humorously (DRYLY),

31 Strong criticism (FLAK) of chocolate bar (flake) missing edible end (end of edible = e) (‘flake’ without ‘e’ = flak = FLAK),

34 Get off at station (DETRAIN) as robbers leave robin redbreast (‘robin redbreast’ without ‘robbers’ = indreat = DETRAIN),

35 Calls earnestly for (PLEADER) page (P-) by de Valera (-LEADER) (PLEADER),

36 Seville (type of orange) government building (Seville government building = HOUSE OF ORANGE) presumably takes in lodgers (HOUSE OF ORANGE),

Down:

2 Best (OPTIMAL) to have nothing (O-) to do with father (-P-A-) ringing Timothy (-TIM-) for novice (learner = -L) (OPTIMAL),

3 Give the impression (SEEM) to the audience it requires stitches (“seam” = SEEM),

4 Mahler (Mahler = HARLEM) broadcast uptown in New York (‘uptown’ / HARLEM),

5 Elizabeth’s (Lil’s = LIL-S) hiding account (-AC-) (LILACS) of shrubs (LILACS),

6 Handle local (locally ‘handle’ = NAME) big shot (NAME),

7 Glass of whiskey (MEASURE) for me (ME-) as (-AS-) you’re (-UR-) going to Spain (-E) (MEASURE),

8 They look after the homework (HOUSE HUSBANDS) for partners working in residential property (HOUSE HUSBANDS),

9 The Big Bad Wolf was one of them (wolf in The Three Little Pigs was one of them HOUSE-BREAKERS) in Dáil (HOUSE-) on white horses (white horses = waves = -BREAKERS) (HOUSE-BREAKERS),

14 Hurry (URGENCY) to encourage (URGE-) American city (NYC = -NCY) development (URGENCY),

16 Put off (DEFER) Germany (Germany domain = .de = DE-) returning man in the middle (referee = ref = -FER) (DEFER),

18 Looking back, property agency (NAMA = A-MAN) rings director (-D-) (ADMAN) from advertising firm (ADMAN),

20 He’s the fellow to ask for more (Please SIR can I have some more?) at address (form of address = SIR),

21 Biddies leaves bridesmaid (‘bridesmaid’ without ‘biddies’ = rma = ARM) with shotgun (ARM),

24 Vaudeville actress (Mae West = MAE-) to sort (sort = -STRO) out (MAESTRO) conductor (MAESTRO),

26 Nonsense (BULL-) at party (-DO-) good (-G) (BULLDOG) for local helping proctor at Oxford (official who assists proctor at Oxford University = BULLDOG),

27 Female (F-) managed (-RAN-) firm (-CO) (FRANCO) for tyrant from Galicia (FRANCO was born in Ferrol in Galicia),

28 Gangster (Al Capone = AL-) on record (extended-play record = -EP-) at rising operation (op = -PO) (ALEPPO) in Syrian city (ALEPPO),

32 Ah, that’s beer (advertisement = “Ah, that’s BASS”) with perch (white perch = BASS),

33 School head (head of school = S-) finds time (-ERA) (SERA) giving bloods in hospital (SERA).

1 Goes on ahead (goes on a head = WIG-) with Greek leader (leader of Greek = -G-) and the French (the = -LE) (WIGGLE) wag (WIGGLE),

4 A (A-) horrible local person (-GIT-) is pillar (-PROP) (AGITPROP) of political propaganda (AGITPROP),

9 Foxtrot (F-) music (-RAP-) on backing record (extended-play record = EP = -PE) (FRAPPE) is a little cold and slushy (FRAPPE),

10 Puts (puts = ST- UP) back ringing Rush (rush = -RUN-) for head of Government (head of Government = -G-) (STRUNG UP) – that’s what nerves do to you (get STRUNG UP),

12 Edward (TEDDY) found in zoo (BEAR) (TEDDY BEAR) in Paddington (TEDDY BEAR),

13 Surprise (HO-) employment (-USE) (HOUSE) in Dáil (HOUSE),

14 Goes on and on like this (BROKEN RECORD) as Banister’s mile clocked at 3.54.9 currently (Bannister’s 3 minutes 54.9 seconds is now a BROKEN RECORD),

18 A (A) marriage break-up (PARTING) goes bang (SHOT)! (A PARTING SHOT) Have at go at it on the way out (A PARTING SHOT),

21 It’s plain to see in South America (a treeless grassy plain = LLANO) everyone (all = LLA-) backed revolutionary broadcast (on = -NO) (LLANO),

22 Fussy type (NIT-PICKER) spends time in someone’s hair (NIT-PICKER),

24 What a good liar tells perhaps (good/harmless lie = WHITE LIE) is not tactfully true (WHITE LIE),

25 A rider (CLAUSE) follows Santa (Santa CLAUS-) with sweetheart (heart of sweet = -E) (CLAUSE),

26 Put on clothes (DRESS-) in time (-AGE) (DRESSAGE) for training horses in France (DRESSAGE),

27 They’re not what one expects (TWISTS) from perverts (TWISTS).

Down:

1 Sees her future husband going up aisle (WIFE-TO-BE sees her future husband at the top of the church as she is goes up aisle) with prospective partner (WIFE-TO-BE),

2 That’s fine (GRAND-) in Trinity (Son ‘in Trinity’ = -SON) (GRANDSON) for relative (GRANDSON),

3 Insolent individual (LIPPY) is possibly on the tip of one’s tongue (lipstick = LIPPY),

5 Goes some way to pay footballers (GATE RECEIPTS) with Dublin Theatre (GATE) earnings (RECEIPTS) (GATE RECEIPTS),

6 Facts (TRUTH) on poison (DRUG) (TRUTH DRUG) won’t help you lying (TRUTH DRUG),

7 It requires precision (RIGOUR) to tamper with (RIG-) around (-O-) old city (-UR) (RIGOUR),

8 Arrogant young man (PUP-) with stroke (-PET) (PUPPET) has no control over movement (PUPPET),

11 Love (love sign = HEART-) getting call (ring = -R-ING) around finish (-END-)? (HEART-RENDING) No, this is distressing (HEART-RENDING),

15 They’re always looking to find something new (EXPLORERS) for St Brendan and Columbus (two EXPLORERS),

16 They change things radically around (SHAKE-UPS) for long swimmer (long fish = -HAKE-) awake (-UP-) in ship (S-S) (SHAKE-UPS),

17 Secret Service (S-S) takes in pie (-TART-) expressing hesitation (-ER-) (STARTERS) at crab salad and foie gras (two STARTERS),

19 French (F-) law (-LAW-) finds writer (-ED) (FLAWED) and Mark against it (mark against it = FLAWED),

20 Carries clothes to hotel (VALISE) for Victor (V-) by the greatest (‘the greatest’ = Muhammad Ali = -ALI-) direction (southeast = -SE) (VALISE),

23 Up north (NI = IN-), rule (-LAW) is for relative (IN-LAW).

8 Lost in (lost in = TONSIL) compound with lump in throat (TONSIL),

9 My! (MY-) Turns up address (Mr = -RM-) for one (-I-) Mafiosi (-DON) MYRMIDON) with hired Greek thug (MYRMIDON),

10 Nick (CHIP) found in Italian restaurant (CHIP),

11 It’s perceptible (OBSERVABLE) as note (OBSERV-E) includes a (-A-) bill of lading (-BL-) (OBSERVABLE),

12 Lawyer (SC-) sides with someone (ally = -YLLA) over (SCYLLA) monster from The Rock (monster from rock on the Italian side of the Straits of Medina = SCYLLA),

14 Joker (WIT-) goes to hospital (-H-) ward (ward = -DRAW), sent back (WITHDRAW) to eat his words (WITHDRAW),

15 Cod in chipper (A FISH OUT OF WATER) is completely unsuitable to the environment it finds itself in (A FISH OUT OF WATER),

18 Goes on ahead (goes on a head = HAT-) to alpine country (Switzerland = -CH-) with technique (-WAY) (HATCHWAY) for opening in a wall (HATCHWAY),

20 It’s about (RE-) to scurry (trot = -TORT) back (RETORT) with answer (RETORT),

22 It’s about (RE-) changing menu (menu = -MUNE-) at cost (cost = -RATE) (REMUNERATE) of reward (REMUNERATE),

24 Small (S-) military commander (-AGA) (SAGA) in folk tale (SAGA),

25 Flyers (ACES) towering (HIGH) (ACES HIGH) straight up (‘straight up’ in poker = ACES HIGH),

26 Sharp rebuke (EARFUL) for sweetheart (heart of sweet = E-) and dodger (Artful Dodger in Oliver Twist) losing shirt (t) (‘artful’ losing ‘t’ = arful = -ARFUL) (EARFUL),

Down:

1 Came by (GOT-) Haitian leader (leader of Haitian = -H-) in charge (-IC) (GOTHIC) of old language (GOTHIC),

2 A (A-) local fool (-SAP) (ASAP) in a hurry (as soon as possible = ASAP),

3 The Spanish (the = EL) patient of Freud (DORA-) at party (-DO) (EL DORADO) is laden down with gold (EL DORADO),

4 Is (I-S) over British politician (-MP-) (IMPS) with devils (IMPS),

5 Type of humour (DRY-) reached peak (peak = tor = -ROT) back (DRY-ROT) in wood – it’s a problem (DRY-ROT),

6 Is this what you get just before coffin closes (FINAL DRAFT)? That’s one for the books (FINAL DRAFT),

7 Romantic partner (SOUL MATE) found in spirit world for all one knows (SOUL MATE),

13 Worst loser (LAST) where German Open is played (on a golf COURSE) (LAST COURSE) in Black Forest perhaps (Black Forest cake perhaps = LAST COURSE),

14 It’s tongue-in-cheek (WITTY) for teetotaller (-TT-) behind Women’s Institute (Women’s Institute = WI-) to have unknown quantity (unknown quantity = -Y) (WITTY),

16 Florida (FL-) ends mass meeting (ends Mass meeting = -AMEN-) on firm (-CO) (FLAMENCO) – it’s music to one’s ears in Madrid (FLAMENCO),

17 Garda Síochána (FORCE-) given its medicine perhaps (-FED)? (FORCE-FED) And made to swallow it (FORCE-FED),

19 You and I (you and I = WE-) not good (-EVIL) (WEEVIL) for one of the beetles (WEEVIL),

21 Uniform (RIG-OUT) perhaps for King of Cork (Irish king = rí = RI-) getting green light (-G-O-) to go to Utah (-UT) (RIG-OUT),

23 Adult (A-) finds revolutionary (-CHE) (ACHE) with prolonged discomfort (ACHE),

24 Comrade leaves armed forces (‘armed forces’ without ‘comrade’ = fres = SERF) with Russian labourer (SERF).

1 Available (ON HAND) to switch (ON) set of cards (HAND) (ON HAND),

4 Sweetheart (heart of sweet = E-) and foreign leader (leader of foreign = -F-) marrying (-FUSION) (EFFUSION) in Rush (EFFUSION),

9 Passionate (FERVID) swine leaves viewfinders (‘viewfinders’ without ‘swine’ = vefidr = FERVID),

10 Barman (bar man = SC-) joins mob (mob = -RABBLE) (SCRABBLE) writing on the tiles perhaps (SCRABBLE),

12 Surprise (HO-) application (-USE-) sent to whaler (-BOAT) (HOUSEBOAT) with accommodation on water (HOUSEBOAT),

13 Invest in (IMBUE) start of 7 down (= ‘imbile’ = IM-) before skinhead (head of skin = s) leaves transport (bus) (‘bus’ without ‘s’ = bu = -BU) for Spain (-E) (IMBUE),

14 Heavenly place perhaps (ROOM AT THE TOP) in attic (ROOM AT THE TOP),

18 Article (A-) on waterworks (CRYING) humiliation (SHAME) (A CRYING SHAME) leads to terrible bad luck (A CRYING SHAME),

21 The Spanish (the = EL-) music company (-EMI-) (ELEMI) produces something for The Faces perhaps (ELEMI in creams/aromatherapy),

22 Old school (ALMA MATER) motoring organisation (A-A) goes around Leitrim (-LM-) hospital (MATER) (ALMA MATER),

24 Shattered trier (trier = RETRI-) and first lady (-EVE) (RETRIEVE) to recover (RETRIEVE),

25 Bed and breakfast (B&B = -BB-) next to you (-U-) in activity centre (hub = H-UB) (HUBBUB) leads to confusion (HUBBUB),

26 This type of love (puppy love = PUPPY-) is (-IS-) hot (-H) (PUPPYISH) for St Bernard when little (PUPPYISH),

27 Sounds great (DEADLY!) for writer (Ed = DE-) returning with lady (lady = -ADLY) by arrangement (DEADLY).

Down:

1 It’s not on (it’s off  = OFF-) to hold up (shore up = -SHORE) (OFFSHORE) at sea (OFFSHORE),

2 As a result of this (HEREUPON), that fellow (HE-) is back in hospital (ER = -RE-) wide awake (-UP-) for broadcast (-ON) (HEREUPON),

3 Sounds (NOISE) like Babel (babel = NOISE),

5 Celebrity (FACE) against article (THE) on rival (ENEMY)! (FACE THE ENEMY) Sounds like fighting talk (FACE THE ENEMY),

6 It’s all agreed (UNANIMOUS), you (U-) and granny (-NAN-) hide money (-M-) in letters of credit (IOUs = -IOUS) (UNANIMOUS),

7 I am (I’m = IM-) getting cash inducement (bribe) without right (r) (‘bribe’ without ‘r’ = bibe = -BIBE) (IMBIBE) drink (IMBIBE),

8 Wanted (NEEDED) to hear what one did with dough (“kneaded” = NEEDED),

11 Engineer, without much enthusiasm (DO IT BY HALVES), gives party (DO) – it (IT) is as a result of (BY) having little old money perhaps (little old money = halfpennies = HALVES) (DO IT BY HALVES),

15 Accountant (AC-) before NYC (New York City = city = -C-ITY), for one, admits Long Island (-LI-) five (-V-) has its own slant (ACCLIVITY),

16 Nerve (TASTE BUD) to sample (TASTE) American beer (Budweiser = BUD)? (TASTE BUD),

17 Extremely (TERRIBLY) free liberal (lib = -IBL-) in forerunner to disposables (terry/cloth nappies before disposables = TERR-Y) (TERRIBLE),

19 Don’t hold back on (LET RIP) temporary accommodation (LET) for the dead (RIP) (LET RIP),

20 Strike (BEAT-) position (-UP) (BEAT-UP) in state of disrepair (BEAT-UP),

23 Maurice (MO-) to take advantage of (-USE) (MOUSE) squealer (MOUSE).

8 Visionary (seer = SE-ER) admits couple of lions (“lions” = “lines” = = -LL-) heard (SELLER) by merchant (SELLER),

9 Went through lots of information (CRUNCHED) to credit (CR-) peacekeeper (-UN-) and revolutionary (-CHE-) with diamonds (-D) (CRUNCHED),

10 Weak (PUNY) coming back up (up = PU-) to New York (-NY) (PUNY),

11 They’re made up (GREEK MYTHS) – Greece has a healthy economy (Greek myth) with Prometheus stealing fire (Greek myth) (Greek myth x 2 / plural = GREEK MYTHS),

12 Father (PAP-A) ringing to say yes (yes = -AY-) (PAPAYA) looks like a bit of a melon (PAPAYA looks a bit like a melon),

14 It generally goes from here to (phrase/saying = “from here to TIMBUKTU”) place in northern Mali (TIMBUKTU),

15 Little possibility (A GHOST OF A CHANCE) of Banquo (Banquo’s ghost in Shakespeare’s Macbeth) getting an opportunity to win on the horses perhaps (A GHOST OF A CHANCE),

18 Is this what Dracula leaves (COLD CUTS) with skin damage at North Pole? (COLD CUTS),

20 Warning sign (NO EXIT) is not positive (NO) for former partner (EX-) to get it (-IT) (NO EXIT),

22 Is this where John the Baptist lost the head? (John the Baptist’s head ended up ON A PLATTER) That should come easy to you! (something that comes easy to someone = ON A PLATTER),

24 Come into view (LOOM) as rockers leave locker rooms (‘locker rooms’ without ‘rockers’ = loom = LOOM),

25 Pursuers (‘pursuers’ = USURPERS) in a way, they’d do your head in taking over perhaps (USURPERS take over illegally / violently take power from ‘head’/those in control),

26 Changed age (age = EAG-) on temporary accommodation (-LET) (EAGLET) for young high-flyer (EAGLET).

Down:

1 Ben (Ben = NEB-) returning with you (-U-) go to American city (-LA) (NEBULA) – that’s bound to create a lot of dust in that space (NEBULA),

2 Voice (S-AY) -over leader from league (leader of league = -L-) (SLAY) is cut to pieces (SLAY),

3 Show off (BRAGGART) brother (BR-) with a (-A-) horse (-GG-) on craft (-ART) (BRAGGART)

4 Russell (A-E) embraces credit (-CR-) (ACRE) for landmark perhaps (ACRE),

5 It’s a load of rubbish (BUNKUM) to sleep on it (BUNK-) expressing hesitation (-UM) (BUNKUM),

6 Pretend (ACT) you (YOU-) have a temper (rage = -R AGE)? (ACT YOUR AGE) It’s something your mother might have said to you (ACT YOUR AGE),

7 Foul-smelling (MEPHITIC) European politician (MEP-) on strike (-HIT-) and in charge (-IC) (MEPHITIC),

13 It doesn’t sound like rowing, perhaps, (the sport of ‘rowing’ is A GOOD SPORT perhaps but rowing/arguing doesn’t sound like A GOOD SPORT) not to get annoyed when the joke’s on you (A GOOD SPORT),

14 Trade Union (TU-) contacts paper (Financial Times = -FT-) for small (-S) (TUFTS) amounts of grass (TUFTS),

16 Sticky substance (GOO-) found at back end (end = -DNE-) to ship (-SS) (GOODNESS) has nutritional value (GOODNESS),

17 Be able to (CAN-) arise (arise = -ARIES) prepared (CANARIES) in Atlantic Ocean (CANARIES),

19 You and me (US-) at five and six (-AGES) (USAGES) accepted conventions (USAGES),

21 One (one = 1 = I-) finds unspecified amount of (-SOME-) resistance (-R) (ISOMER) in more than one compound with same formula (ISOMER),

23 Looking back, Kay (-K) gets to end of week (Sat = TAS-) (TASK) in charge (TASK),

24 Guaranteed Irish (Guaranteed Irish = LOGO) found on ship (LOG-) means nothing (-O) (LOGO).

1 Will go hungry (STARVE) with novices leaving conservatives (‘conservatives’ without ‘novices’ = ratves = STARVE),

4 Break-up (SMASH) bash (HIT) (SMASH HIT) at Number One (at Number One = SMASH HIT),

9 Monaghan, for one (is INLAND), up north (NI = IN-) has stony grey soil (-LAND) perhaps (INLAND),

10 Actor’s actor (STUNT MAN) to trick (STUNT) mother (MA-) with nationalist (-N) (STUNT MAN),

12 Sheep curl (sheep curl = SEPULCHRE) awkwardly in vault (SEPULCHRE),

13 I’ve left Valencia (‘Valencia’ without ‘Ive’ = alnca = CANAL) for boat journey (CANAL),

14 Wrote about homes in conversation (“homes” = “Holmes”; DOCTOR WATSON was the narrator in the Sherlock Holmes stories) with fictional medic (DOCTOR WATSON),

18 Sounds like father’s giving away daughter fast (WEDDING MARCH) at church service (WEDDING) in spring (MARCH) (WEDDING MARCH),

21 Former partner (EX-) back about (re = -ER-) Tuesday (-T) (EXERT) to pull out all the stops (EXERT),

22 Position in the home (HOUSEWIFE) for mate (mate = -WIFE) behind Dáil (Dáil = HOUSE-) (HOUSEWIFE),

24 Tune (AIR-) on ship (-CRAFT) (AIRCRAFT) goes up and down (AIRCRAFT),

25 Postscript (P-S-) goes around about (-RE-) Lawrence (TE = -ET) returning (PRESET) with timer (PRESET),

26 It’s legally enclosed (HEREWITH) in this place (HERE-) alongside it (-WITH) (HEREWITH),

27 Mystery man (-X-) found in group (SE-T-) performing (-ON) (SEXTON) takes care of church (SEXTON).

Down:

1 Transport (SHIP-) left (-SIDE) (SHIPSIDE) in port perhaps (port side / dock side = SHIPSIDE),

2 A (A-) couple of lines (couple of lines = -LL-) to Mace (mace = -SPICE) (ALLSPICE) offering something for Christmas cake (ALLSPICE),

3 Open to bribery (VENAL) as against (versus = V-) back lane (lane = -ENAL) (VENAL),

5 Ah, look at the little baba! (MOTHER TONGUE) That sounds very Irish, for one (Irish is one MOTHER TONGUE),

6 Makes a lot of noise up there (SONIC BOOM) as relative (SON-) in charge (-IC) shows contempt (BOO-) for Frenchman (Monsieur = -M) (SONIC BOOM),

7 Pig (HO-G) swallows minimum (-MIN-) (HOMING) of those types returning with the messages (homing pigeons = HOMING types)

8 Thing (thing) is – missing hotel (h) (‘thing’ missing ‘h’ = ting = TING-) for the French (the = -LE) (TINGLE) travelling down the spine (TINGLE),

11 Mulled it over for ages (CHEWED THE FAT) with revolutionary (CHE-) during the week (Wednesday = -WED-) on the (THE) stout (FAT) (CHEWED THE FAT),

15 Got rid of person at the top (OVERTHREW) in charge of (OVER-) article (-TH-E-) embracing right (-R-) to work (-W) (OVERTHREW),

16 Model going around at Christmas (model TRAIN SET) in bad weather (-RAIN) near southeast (SE-) in race (T-T) (TRAIN SET),

17 I’m warning you (THREATEN) – risk (THREAT-) small measure (-EN) (THREATEN),

19 Free (DETACH) Germany (Germany domain = .de = = DE-), thanks (-TA-) to Switzerland (Switzerland = -CH) (DETACH),

20 Porter (BEARER) with blood group (B-) for listener (-EAR-) in hospital (-ER) (BEARER),

23 Looking back, youth leader (leader of youth = -Y-) in Ireland (Eire = E-IRE) (EYRIE) has great view of the birds perhaps (EYRIE).