`Where the streets have no shame' was the Westmeath Examiner's headline on its editorial about the recent upsurge in street violence and malicious damage. An application from gardai for 10 CCTV cameras in Mullingar prompted the newspaper to comment: "Amid the swirling mass of fast-food wrappers you will invariably find blood."
Rather than blaming the new licensing laws, the newspaper focused on Ireland's drink culture and the "laddism" embraced by magazines such as Loaded and FHM. "In the eyes of many of our European neighbours, being Irish is all about the craic, the Guinness and begorrahs.
"We often cringe at the portrayal of Ireland as a nation of drinkers and dancers. Well, now it seems we have become what we so often tried to pretend we're not: a nation of drinkers who couldn't care less about the consequences."
Alcohol abuse is the biggest drug problem in the Republic, according to Judge Mary Martin, who says that assaults, violence and thuggery are increasing dramatically. The Tipperary Star quoted her as saying: "Drink is offered as an excuse in mitigation, or as a defence, in 99.9 per cent of cases, particularly drink-related cases".
The Nationalist and Leinster Times also quoted Judge Martin, who said: "Loutish and riotous behaviour has now become an acceptable level of entertainment".
The Nationalist and Munster Advertiser described a new £60,000 Garda programme designed "to lure teenagers away from under-age drinking and anti-social behaviour". The Juvenile Diversion Programme will set up a series of locally-based schemes to keep youths occupied and out of trouble.
"Youth need to be tackled early," said Cllr Billy Shoer at a meeting of Clonmel Corporation. "Young people are turning into alcoholics at 16 and 17. I see teenagers coming out of off-licences in town with bags and bags of cans. Then you have discos giving out dozens and dozens of cans and bottles long after the bar is supposed to be closed . . . The vintners should get together and stop this carry-on in the town."
The Ballymena Guardian described "fresh panic over discarded needles" on a housing estate, leading to renewed concern over the town's continuing drug problem.
A teenage girl was hospitalised in Tralee after being beaten unconscious by two other girls in the town centre while a number of young men looked on, Kerry's Eye reported. The attack has led to calls from local politicians for increased Garda presence in the town to address a perceived increase in assaults and beatings in Tralee, it said.
The Longford Leader commented that the incident involving the State car of the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, being stopped for speeding was "the latest example of how the people who have power and influence in this country have become so arrogant that they seem to believe the laws of the land do not apply to them".
The Clare Champion asked: "What is it about the wealthy, the privileged and the powerful? We know they have money, position and might on their side but should that mean that they get to make up their own rules as they go along?"
The Kerryman believed: "There can be little doubt that Minister O'Donoghue's `zero tolerance' catchcall will never again be taken seriously - if he ever has the nerve to utter it".
The Limerick Leader pictured the place where the Minister was stopped on the road between Headley's Bridge and Castleisland. The Minister's driver should not have been surprised to be stopped there, since traffic gardai often have as many as three patrol cars at any given time along the six-mile stretch of improved N21 road. "In fact, locals in the Headley's Bridge area are happy at the level of work the gardai are doing, and are even happier that their notorious zig-zag hamlet is to be bypassed shortly," the newspaper added.
Thurles Urban District Council is to change the disc-parking limit in Cathedral Street, Thurles, to allow women time to get their hair permed, reported the Tipperary Star. While a wash and a blow-dry may fall within the permitted time to park your car in the street, the council chairman, Cllr Paddy Durack, lamented at Monday's meeting the fact that women cannot possibly get their hair permed in the one-hour time limit. As for a colouring - drivers would be better off getting the day-long tickets!