The Cork Independent

Since "The Cork Examiner" went national, debate on local political issues in Cork has been muted, at least as far as impinging on my consciousness has been concerned. It is true that the Prendevil (© David K.) thing is interminably controversial about everything, but I can't stand it.

My enthusiasm for the freesheet "Inside Cork" - now re-named "The Cork Independent" has been declining since Eddie the Editor Lyons parted company with it, but publishing photographs of my daughter - as has been done twice already this year - tends to re-kindle it, as I have already noted in another context.

But enough of the tiresome paternal pride. My purpose here is to draw attention to the paper's "City Searchlight" column, of which I was only dimly aware last year. I wonder if others will agree with me that the current writer, Finbarr Cullen, has a penchant for making issues come alive.

On January 11, he delivers himself of these bons mots:

• ...glass box builder Owen O'Callaghan
• ... Northside TD, Billy the Skid Kelleher
• ... FF Councillor Michael(Honours) McGrath warned New York Revellers not to mix medication, like Cuprinol, with booze as the combination would contribute to a car accident. Thanks, Cllr Michael, thanks for the advice...Where would we be without them ?

(Yes, that word *is* Cuprinol.)

And, on the following week:

• ...somnolent Government Minister, Michael Ahern
• ...Cork County Council has found the answer [to an allegedly dangerous road]. No, not a new road, not lighting ...not widening nor an alternative route. They've commissioned a STUDY. Yes, a STUDY...'international engineering consultants'(wow!) will tackle the problem say the boffins in County Hall and come up with a solution. In other words ...County Hall dont give a tinkers.