Election nerves are beginning to tingle if reports in some regional papers are to be believed. The Northern Standard announces: "Monaghan UDC councillor, Robbie Gallagher, has been asked to contest the next general election for Fianna Fβil in the Monaghan-Cavan constituency. Mr Gallagher, a local auctioneer, expressed surprise at his invitation, but was honoured and privileged to be nominated by the party."
The same paper reports: "Tβnaiste, Mary Harney, came in for sharp criticism at a meeting of Monaghan County Council for declining an invitation to meet with members to discuss the crisis at Monaghan Poultry Products."
The Kilkenny People carries a headline: "Davy quits Fianna Fβil". The report says: "Peace Commissioner, Davy Phelan of Lord Edward Street, Kilkenny, told the Kilkenny People that he has decided to join Sinn FΘin." He is quoted as saying: "I have decided to return to my roots. My family have been Sinn FΘin for generations."
The Wexford Echo carries the headline: "Storey a non-runner as political landscape shifts." The report by Simon Bourke says that the former Wexford All-Ireland winning captain, Martin Storey, has "declined" an offer to stand as Brendan Howlin's running mate in the forthcoming general election.
The paper says: "The hurling star declined, but it is another indication that all the parties believe the political landscape has changed radically with the departure of Fine Gael's Avril Doyle and Ivan Yates from the scene."
The Mayo News devotes two editorials to the political scene. One is headlined: "Has Fine Gael found the key electoral issue?" The editorial says: "That the Fine Gael leader, Michael Noonan, has. . . failed to make his mark to date is hardly open to question. Mr Noonan has failed to land a blow of any consequence on his opponents.
"The Fine Gael leader may find himself on more fruitful soil with his message last week that he is about to home in on the level of crime and the public's attitude to rising crime rates."
In its second editorial the Mayo News says: "If island communities alone could elect governments the Fianna Fβil/PD Coalition would have more than a reasonable chance of being returned to power. For, whatever other shortcomings the Coalition might have, it has not been found wanting in caring for island communities, especially those along the western seaboard."
A headline in the Leinster Express tells us: "No surprises at Fine Gael convention in Clonaslee." The report by Declan McSweeney says: "Outgoing TD, Charlie Flanagan, and Councillor Enright were selected as the party's candidates for the Laois-Offaly constituency in the next general election."
The Offaly Independent covers the same news, with Conor McHugh reporting: "The occasion was also used by the candidates and party bosses to rally canvassers who were told the party would challenge Fianna Fβil every step of the way throughout the campaign."
The Wicklow People has a front-page headline: "Labour election disaster warning" followed by a sub-headline: "Three runners will put Wicklow seat at risk, says O'Shaughnessy."
The report says: "Rathdrum councillor, Jimmy O'Shaughnessy, has said suggestions that the (Labour) party should have three vote-getters, including Arklow councillor, Nicky Kelly, would result in disaster for Labour in the spring ballot."
The Roscocommon Champion reports: "Castlerea's cannabis campaigner, Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, has announced his intention to run as an Independent in the Longford-Roscommon constituency at the next election." Sean Leonard writes: "Mr Flanagan also dramatically threw the gauntlet in the fight for the younger vote firmly at Fine Gael deputy Denis Naughten's feet. "Referring to his own alias 'Ming The Merciless', Denis Naughten is my Flash Gordon in the election."
Several newspapers raise issues associated with the Traveller community. The Waterford News & Star caries an editorial which says: "Few people throughout Waterford, Tramore and Dungarvan, having witnessed in recent years the virtual take-over of public and private land by convoys of travelling traders, will argue against Fine Gael proposals to try to solve the problem once and for all. The main opposition party wants heavy fines and/or jail sentences imposed on those who flout the law."
The same paper carries a report by Marion O'Mara which says: "Over £1 million has been spent by the local authority refurbishing its 12 Traveller accommodation units at Kilbarry during the past year."
The Tallaght Echo has a headline: "Bill to ban halt sites slammed by Travellers." The report, by Sharon Geoghegan, says: "Traveller leaders have dubbed proposed legislation to ban large-scale movement of trader Travelers from permanent accommodation on to private and public property a political stunt."
An editorial in the same paper says: "Proposed legislation by Fine Gael to tackle unofficial encampments by so-called trader Travellers comes amid growing public anger over the environment impact of these sites."
The Kerryman's Emer Connolly reports: "Kerry County Council was forced to house a family of Travellers in emergency accommodation in one of Killarney's top hotels as a pest-control company carried out treatment on the chalet regularly occupied by the family."