The regional newspapers are continually focused on the problems in local communities which arise from the consumption of alcohol. The Waterford News & Star gave prominence to a report which recorded that a drunk motor cyclist was "basically raving when arrested by gardai".
Another report on the same page told us: "A 49-year-old woman crashed her car into a tree at Cherrymount in the city after consuming a quantity of brandy."
The paper also reported that a local bar had been sold for £1.2 million and that a licensing extension had been granted for the "revamped Crystal City bar".
The Weekender, also designated as "Meath's No 1 Family Newspaper", in a headline said: "Kids (12) on drink and drugs binges." The report underneath continued: "Children as young as 12 are partying on ecstasy and drink on Kells estates, according to a local councillor." The councillor, Mr Brian Curran, was reported as saying: "Many householders now live in fear of their children being introduced to drink, drug and solvent use by pushers not much older than the users."
The Leinster Express reported: "Laois towns like Bronx and Harlem." Seamus Dunne wrote: "Shuttered shop windows were making streets in Laois towns like The Bronx or Harlem of the 1960s, Cllr Martin Phelan told a county council meeting recently. Councillors agreed to seek a briefing from a Garda Superintendent on the fight against crime and public order offences in the county."
The provision of roads is also a topic to which local newspapers pay attention. The Western People reported: "Three Connacht counties (Mayo, Sligo and Roscommon) come bottom of the table for the allocation of monies per kilometre from the Department of the Environment for non-national roads. The situation has been described as blatant discrimination by Fine Gael's Jim Higgins, who is to raise the matter in the Dail."
The Kilkenny People's editorial told us: "There is growing unease over the proposals to build two super-highways through Kilkenny. Particularly concerned is the farming community which foresees many fine agricultural holdings being ripped apart by two of the biggest construction projects ever undertaken in the south east of Ireland."
The Waterford News & Star said: "An Bord Pleanala has received approximately 75 submissions objecting to the Waterford city bypass."
The Dungarvan Leader reported: "A number of submissions have been received by Waterford County Council, as part of its first public consultation on the Dungarvan outer bypass, including the necessity of building the project in the first place."
The Drogheda Independent continues to be concerned about traffic safety at the bridge near Slane village.
"The latest proposals for improved safety have been met with scepticism by the Slane Bridge Action Group," it reported. "The action group believes that the measures proposed are no more than stop-gap and are unwavering in their views that a bypass of the village is the only solution available".
A more positive approach is adopted in the Western People and the Sligo Champion on the provision of an electricity generating station. The Western People said: "A
£40 million electricity generating station is to be provided at Bellacorrick using natural gas from the Corrib field and providing enough electricity to supply the needs of the whole of Mayo."
The Sligo Champion said: "Bord Gais has confirmed that it is `looking positively' at the possibility of extending the gas pipeline to the Sligo region." A spokesman for the local Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Mr Jim Lawlor, was quoted as saying: "There was also the possibility of attracting a private operator to build a gas-fired electricity generating station in the region."
Other matters of continuing interest to the regional newspapers include the provision of facilities for asylum-seekers. The Kilkenny People had a headline which read: "People of Kilkenny open their hearts to emigrants." The report by Sean Keane said: "Over 70 refugees and asylum-seekers based in Kilkenny received an official welcome to the city. Mayor Paul Cuddihy hosted a reception for them at City Hall."
The availability of jobs is also covered. The Mid-Ulster Observer led its front page with the news that: "A huge slump in profits at Malton Foods, the English company which owns the Unipork factory in Cookstown, has sparked speculation on further job losses in the North's food processing sector."
The Leinster Leader had a front-page headline which read: "Athy seeks crisis meeting on jobs." The report by James Healy said: "Athy Urban District Council has called for a meeting with Tanaiste Mary Harney to discuss the employment situation in the town. The move came at an emergency UDC meeting held in the aftermath of the closure announcement at Peerless Rugs."