FASHION statements don't often figure in coverage of Northern politics (not since Adams's Armani style suits). But the Impartial Reporter noticed a sinister change in the loyalist mood, as the traditional bowler hats were replaced by designer shades in Enniskillen. A week ago last Saturday, there were "ugly scenes" in the town as determined loyalist marchers wearing the badges and crests of the UDA, UFF and UVF "hammered their message" through the streets.
"The nature of the loyalist parade is entirely different to the image of the sober suited, bowler men parading to a church service. Many people in this area feel uneasy about the very different style of Saturday night's parade. Young people in dark glasses - some wearing military style cloth marched carrying flags with paramilitary crests and badges.
The parade forced the usually optimistic Impartial Reporter to admit that "the deep difference of opinion over the marching season had burst, well almost, the bubble of our high hopes of peace."
Do it yourself court TV has arrived in Ballyjamesduff. The Anglo Celt reported that a "person in a mobile home parked at the entrance to the courthouse was seen videoing people going in and out of the courthouse." Gardai learned the video related to charges ensuing from a brawl at Main Street, Kilnaleck, Co Cavan last July. It was to be shown in a public house that night.
A man who bumped his head while leaving the witness box after giving evidence in another case was awarded £1,593 last week, the Longford News reported. In cross examination, counsel for Longford County Council "wondered how the witness box had been in use at the court for over loo years and this was the first reported case of this kind."
The Monaghan village of Tydavnet was chock a block last Monday night "as neighbours of the members of the Killylough World Champion Tug of War team came in to give a welcome home to their heroes", said the Northern Standard. This is the second time the Irish team has won the championship in Slagharen, The Netherlands - but the first time members had won it for Tydavnet - their "ain place".
"The word was about in tug of war circles that Killylough was past it," said Gerry McQuillan, team spokesman. "But we knew ourselves that there was another good one in us.and decided to give it a go over the last six weeks or so.
The feud between the Clare Champion and the Limerick Leader has turned nasty, with the Champion smarting from the "risible attack" levelled at it by the Leader, which rejected the Champion's report that known troublemakers barred from pubs in Limerick were being bussed to Ennis for weekend drinking sessions.
In an editorial entitled "A Cranky Old Lady Nods Off", the Champion stood by its sources and said "being snapped at by the toothless old lady of Limerick conservatism puts the Clare Champion in good company. Some of the bravest and most forthright journalists and commentators have been decried for daring to throw some light into the dark corners of social deprivation and criminality in a city that has its share of social problems. The fact that many of these problems have either been ignored or denied by the Limerick Leader makes the paper's impotent ramblings all the more bitter.
"In newspaper parlance, the term `being put to bed' means that the paper is going to press. In the case of the Limerick Leader it could well be interpreted as being put to sleep." Ouch.
An "English tourist", who since the early 1970s has spent his summers in Cromane, Co Kerry, was pictured by the Kerryman kneeling in the road with his hands buried in Tarmac.
After nearly 25 years waiting for the council to do something, Roy Carlyon decided to repair the potholes on the 300 yard stretch of road leading to his holiday house. "I come here for the people and the beautiful scenery, as well as the style of life. I won't let a few bad roads put me off," said Mr Carlyon. If all tourists had his attitude, we'd get the pot holes fixed in no time.
Dingle, has Fungi the dolphin and now Kilgarvan, also in Co Kerry, has "Superduck". The waddling mother has been drawing the crowds since someone noticed 19 ducklings following her around.
"Quite a lot of people have expressed in an interest in taking a few of them," breeder Michael Tiffin told the Kerryman. The ducklings are an ornamental breed, which should keep them safe from the prospect of duck a l'orange.