THE phrase "man bites dog" was given a new twist in a report in the Kerryman about Dublin man who pleaded guilty to biting a garda during a fracas in Listowel.
The ruling in the case was adjourned until September because the judge wanted a full report on the defendant. The man's solicitor told the court his behaviour was totally out of character.
On more conventional stories, many papers devoted considerable space to coverage of the St Patrick's Day festivities.
There were tractors, donkeys, horses and sheep galore on parade, as well as many "special guests" such as Evita and Juan Peron in the Killarney celebrations. Kilkenny welcomed Bill Clinton, complete with black stretch limousine and mackintosh clad detectives. The Kilkenny People published a photograph of the latex faced Clinton saluting the crowd.
The paper also reported that the Department of the Environment will shortly announce funding for a purpose built women's refuge in Kilkenny, following a long running campaign.
The Corkman carried two stories on opposite pages on Cork County Council's involvement, both direct and indirect, in family planning matters.
In one, local Fine Gael councillor Mr Conor O'Callaghan claimed that the council's housing policy was putting extra pressure on young couples to have children.
Mr O'Callaghan said the council's criteria for allocating housing were encouraging couples to have children in order to get priority treatment. He called on the council to build more small houses for young couples, who otherwise have to wait for long periods.
The other report was about the council's rejection of a motion for the Government to speed up the establishment in the State of a sperm bank for infertile couples and people awaiting cancer treatment.
The acting chairman, Mr Michael Pat Murphy (Independent) said opening a sperm bank could lead to thousands of children being fathered from the same sperm, resulting in the danger of in breeding.
Mr Noel Collins (Independent), who proposed the motion, said there was nothing unethical about a sperm bank.
Mr Collins, who cited the availability of heart, lung, liver and kidney transplants and blood transfusions, was quoted in the paper as adding: "Touch any part of the anatomy but don't touch the private parts. They are looked on as a no go area. However, if you fail to deliver the goods, there is no help service to keep the reproductive organs in working order."
Population matters provided the Connaught Telegraph with its page one story about Inishbiggle islander Mrs Elizabeth Calvey, who in 1994 was the first woman on the island in 10 years to give birth.
Mrs Calvey, who was photographed holding her three year old son Patrick, warned that she may have to leave the island due to the absence of a safe link to the mainland.
She was critical of Mayo County Council's refusal of planning permission for a £760,000 cable car link between the island and Bullsmouth in Achill.
Derry pop star Peter Cunnah was reported in the Derry Journal as lending a helping hand to the Labour Party's election campaign.
Things Can Only Get Better, the 1994 hit song by his band D:Ream, has been chosen as the British Labour Party's official election anthem.
"Tony Blair's message of hope is one I can carry," he was quoted as saying.
