Co Clare will be at the centre of a new anti-racism drive by the Department of Justice, according to the Clare Champion. "The growing number of asylum-seekers descending on Clare has prompted the Government to give a pivotal role to the county's refugee leaders in implementing a £1 million awareness campaign to combat a creeping tide of racism," it said.
"Since the early 1990s, hundreds of refugees from former Eastern bloc countries and Africa have located in the county while awaiting their asylum applications. And these numbers are set to reach record figures, thanks to the Department of Justice's new `dispersal' policy which was unveiled late last year."
Within two months, the complement of refugees has jumped from around 200 to 350, said the newspaper. Last month the case of an Indian woman and her three-month-old baby being attacked on the street in Ennis was highlighted by Clare county council's Orla Ni Eili.
"In broad daylight, people started referring to the colour of her skin and throwing stuff at her. Somewhere along the line the message has gone out that racism is acceptable behaviour in society."
The Connacht Tribune said the inquiry into abuse by Christian Brothers at the Letterfrack Industrial School has been broadened by gardai. Up to seven gardai are investigating as many as 50 complaints from around the Republic and overseas.
Longford town is to spend £20,000 moving an "inconvenient convenience" that is costing £20,000 annual rent. "What a pity there wasn't more forward planning involved in the siting of the so-called `superloo' which is the first piece of civil architecture which greets visitors and locals alike as they reach the administrative centre of the town," said the Longford News.
The "otherwise dismal-looking" town could be improved by well-planned street furniture, waste bins, trees and floral displays it said. The visit of the President, Mrs McAleese, in May would be an ideal time to reopen a "new-look" market square.
A new town with a population of 1,500 could be created on land around the High Cross at Durrow, Co Offaly, by the developers of a 520-acre leisure resort, said the Tullamore Tribune. The company behind the £130 million complex, Radleigh Developments, envisages a golf course, 475 residential units, a conference centre, an equestrian centre and a health and fitness centre.
Castlebar, said the Connaught Telegaph, may be the site of a "super £12 million leisure plan". Cavendish Properties is submitting a major planning application to the local urban council for the construction of a four-screen cinema, a 20-metre swimming pool, "leisureplex", student accommodation and multi-storey car-park.
Waterford is "going backwards" because the Celtic Tiger has by-passed the city, which has an unemployment rate of 14 per cent, 9 per cent above the national average, according to the Waterford News & Star. In 1996 Waterford city's unemployment rate was "only 4 per cent" above the national average.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment was taken by surprise when these statistics were revealed by Mr Terry O'Sullivan, chairman of the Waterford Area Partnerships, said the Star. "We don't begrudge the BMW its status, but we pray that we will at least get sufficient support to afford a Fiesta," said Mr O'Sullivan.
The Impartial Reporter of Enniskillen declared a "disaster for the local economy" as a result of the closure of Malton Foods with a loss of 200 jobs, on top of 95 previous redundancies last summer. The 35-year-old factory has been one of the biggest employers in the area, contributing £2 million sterling to the local economy annually.