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Editorials

Population to rise faster than experts predicted
The publication this week of the Central Statistics Office's revised projections of our future population and labour force is an important development. There have been enormous changes in our economy since the previous projections were published in 1995, including in particular a reversal of past emigration trends. p

This Week They Said
Examining the facts as a whole, we do not consider that any decision was possible other than to grant anonymity to the soldiers. This appeal is dismissed. p

DRAPIER - AN INSIDER'S GUIDE TO POLITICS

Free-spirited McCreevy has seen his star rising throughout the boom years
Charlie McCreevy had better watch out. Some of our professional observers are beginning to call him "the best Minister for Finance for decades". Drapier even heard Moore McDowell express such views on a recent radio programme and when Moore McDowell starts praising politicians, we had better all watch out. p

EDITORIAL COMMENT

If only our founding fathers could see us now . . .
A friend of long ago and far-off places was given to asking: what would they say if they could see us now? The people in question were bosses we'd shared in another life. But the conversation invariably turned, as conversations do, to the state of the country. p
Slow Road to Safety
It is almost certain that the next edition of this newspaper will carry a report of several fatal road accidents, for this form of violent death has become a seemingly inevitable ingredient of holiday weekends. It is to be hoped that the timely action of the Garda Siochana in stepping up its road safety programme this week will succeed at least in curbing such tragedies; a holiday weekend free of road fatalities is probably too much to hope for. p
Rebuilding The Balkans
"A Europe at long last undivided, prosperous and free. A Europe where war becomes unthinkable". These were the objectives set out by President Ahtissari of Finland in his introductory speech yesterday as EU president of the Sarajevo summit to launch a Stability Pact for Southeast Europe. The summit endorsed a general statement of commitment to develop the whole region and include it in European integration. It will be judged very much by the relationship between the noble ends envisaged and the means and resources put forward to achieve them. p

AN IRISHMAN'S DIARY

An Irishman's Diary
A column I wrote last Monday for Wednesday was withdrawn because what I sought was being achieved - the release of Pablo McCabe and the former nun Nora Wall, both imprisoned for the rape of a child. So: might this case not suggest that our entirely proper desire to expose the sexual abuse of children could now be running out of control? For these are cleansing times; and cleansing times can be very dangerous times indeed. p

THINKING ANEW

Positive acceptance of the inevitable
Latterly, news of untimely deaths has been in our thoughts and prayers. The untimely deaths of three persons in the prime of life through an aeroplane accident was devastating. The untimely death of a magnificent officer of the Garda Siochana leaves us speechless, as does the massacre of innocent people in Yugoslavia. p

IN TIME'S EYE

The Making Of Real Shoes
Do you pay £900 for a pair of boots or shoes? Do you know anyone who does? And we're not talking here of female film stars with exotic tastes, just you and your circle. Well, there is a man who is kept busy supplying the same to home clients, to Japan, the United States and Australia. All made by hand in his workshop in Rostrevor, Co Down. He is Gerry Brady. We find in the magazine Omnibus that "His is the achievement of tradition. He spurns the cheaper, mechanised methods of mass footwear to make only bespoke orders. With many repeats. There are some unusual questions of taste: such as a pair of long boots made from giraffe skins with hairs still sticking out. Bristles from wild boars are used as needles (honest ?) and linen hemp for sewing thread. After 25 years in the business, Gerry says "Fashions come and go in footwear, but my style is classic, made the traditional way to last a long time." Indeed there is a famous Belfast journalist who always had his shoes made in the city and, though long retired, he is still wearing his favourite pairs, all in fine condition. Boar hairs were mentioned and so (still with Omnibus) on to Jilly Acheson and her boars at Moyallen Foods near Lurgan, Co Armagh. She farms them along with other animals and declares she is in the business of "ethical farming," for "intensive farming is horrible; we try to keep everything as natural as possible." And, with another 1,000 family acres in Fermanagh at her disposal, she has plenty of room. Veterinary inspection every day. She admits to being a carnivore "but I have a weakness for raspberry jam on toast with melted goat's cheese." The magazine, very glossy, very colourful, is published by The Northern Ireland Information Service at Stormont, edited by Maggie Stanfield. p

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Population to rise faster than experts predicted

This Week They Said

Free-spirited McCreevy has seen his star rising throughout the boom years

If only our founding fathers could see us now . . .

Slow Road to Safety

Rebuilding The Balkans

An Irishman's Diary

Positive acceptance of the inevitable

The Making Of Real Shoes

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