`The Great Famine was ravaging the country when the Christian Brothers arrived in Portlaoise. The Celtic Tiger is roaring as they leave," wrote Seamus Dunne in the Leinster Express.
For the first time in 150 years, Portlaoise will have no resident Christian Brothers when Brothers Sean O'Dugain and William Allen quit the town at the end of this month.
Out go the Brothers; in come the global tycoons. Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and Virgin visionary Richard Branson have expressed interest in providing key services to the "City of the Sacred Heart" being mooted for the Mayo/Roscommon border.
The Roscommon Herald revealed that Branson is interested in developing a rail metro system within the city, while Gates has expressed an interest in establishing the new city's Information Technology systems.
With the city's hub between Kilmovee and Lisacul, the metropolitan area would stretch to Loughglynn, Ballaghaderreen, Charlestown, Kilkelly, Ballyhaunis, Castlerea and Frenchpark. Initially, the city would accommodate 100,000 people, with the potential to grow to 250,000 within 20 years.
The results of such rapid growth in small towns around the country inspired The Westmeath Independent to highlight the consequent deterioration in the quality of life. It repeated a warning from the Garda, which stated that "innocent people are being assaulted by thugs who are on drink and drugs . . . "Where innocent people are being attacked by gangs they are often afraid of retaliation (if they report the matter) but we urge them not to be afraid and to report all such incidents."
The Westmeath Independent believed that "in the day-to-day living syndrome the objective seems to be to keep up the gallop in the race for more money, more comforts, and additional amenities . . . All too often real enjoyment is seen as unattainable without being fuelled by a surfeit of alcohol and other drugs.
"What we are throwing away in the process is the peace, serenity of living and real relaxation that so many of the towns and villages of provincial Ireland had to offer . . . "When you read the court cases in your local newspaper and realise the escalation in the number of public disorder cases being dealt with you will realise that we are heading for the minimisation in the quality of everyday life in all too many Irish towns which are now in the process of growing their populations by the thousands."
The Kilkenny People sought a cure for the "cancer of vandalism and thuggery" which is "getting a grip" in Kilkenny and "threatening the very fabric of society". "We have had tourists battered in our city. Every week there are stories of thugs beating up innocent people, putting the boot in, smashing heads. Young thugs, out of their minds with drink or drugs, vent their anger on an innocent, peace-loving public."
The solution? "We must ensure that [the Garda] have the wherewithal and the man and woman power to patrol and police our streets."
The Tipperary Star stated the drug culture in Nenagh had reached "frightening levels" and that drink parties of children aged between 11 and 15 were creating a climate of fear among the residents in Thurles.
THE Meath Chronicle called for Garda patrols in Navan's scenic Ramparts area after a father and son were attacked by vandals there.
The victims, who refused to be identified for fear of reprisals, were pelted with bottles by a group of youths who had set fire to a beech tree.
The Meath Weekender stated that "mindless thugs have left Navan pensioners too terrified to sleep in their homes at night". One resident had rocks hurled through her window as she slept.
You have heard of air rage? Well, now try rail rage. "A gang of drunken Dubliners on their way to Rosslare subjected other rail passengers to hours of abuse during a trip of terror on the Dublin-Rosslare train," stated the Wexford People. "They were throwing beer on other passengers and acting in a lewd way," said Inspector David Sheehan. Fire extinguishers were let off during the fracas as the drunks rampaged up and down the train, abusing other passengers and hurling drinks around.
According to Iarnrod Eireann, such behaviour is "not unusual on certain trains".
Travellers illegally camped on a sports field in Naas are using the facilities as a "high-speed race track", and have threatened to split the heads of security staff and to tear down a sports centre "brick by brick" if the gates to the field are locked.
They have said they won't budge unless a court injunction is granted - or until they get money.
In an editorial comment, the Leinster Leader stated that even the most charitable mind would be alienated by this "threatening, intimidating and extortionist behaviour".
In Ballymena, loyalist arsonists have brought their campaign to "up-market" housing estates. The "fire blitz" has been condemned by community leaders from across the divide, stated the Ballymena Guardian.