Carnage is a word which several regional newspapers use to describe the road tragedies which have blighted many lives in recent times. In the latest Waterford News & Star, the front-page headline reads: "Time to call halt to road carnage".
This appears over a report by Marion O'Hara which says: "As the carnage continues on our roads, motorists appear to have total disregard for their own safety and many are even complaining that they are being `discommoded' by gardai clamping down on offences such as drink-driving, speeding and the non-wearing of seat belts."
The Roscommon Herald picks up on the theme as does the Sligo Champion, which says in its editorial: "Despite all the massive public-awareness campaigns, the slaughter continues with relentless inevitability as horror piles on horror, bringing death, injury and anguish to families across the country on a scale which, were it to be repeated say, through acts of terrorism, would evoke immediate political action and public outrage."
The Leitrim Observer reports: "Local gardai have appealed to motorists to be vigilant on the roads this bank holiday weekend. The primary objectives will focus on speed, drink-driving, seat-belt compliance and young driver behaviour."
Waste-disposal is also a regular topic in regional papers. The Limerick Leader carries a front-page story by Norma Prendiville, "Dump war goes on", which says the Gortadroma Action Group has stepped up its campaign to stop the county council expanding the local landfill dump, "a move which they warn could wipe out their community".
The Meath Chronicle reports: "Proposals for Ireland's first municipal incinerator at Carranstown, Duleek, which has proved to be the most controversial planning application ever to come before Meath County Council, were given the green light." The headline says: "Shocked objectors pledge to fight plan all the way to Europe."
The Munster Express reports a meeting of an information forum which was called "to discuss the public awareness campaign, the quantities of waste generated in the region, the requirements of the waste planning regulations and finally the possible scenarios being considered."
The Mayo News tells us: "Farmer fined for dumping dead calf in wood during foot-and-mouth scare". The farmer in question told Ballina District Court that the calf was stillborn and he pleaded guilty. The paper reports: "Judge Mary Devins said the defendant had acted in an enormously irresponsible manner and his behaviour was potentially dangerous. She imposed a fine of £350."
Sport is another topic which takes up acres of space in the regional papers, particularly at this time of the year. The Kingdom has 22 pages of sport in its current edition while the Waterford News & Star goes further with a 32-page supplement. The Wexford People and the New Ross Standard celebrate Wexford's unexpected hurling victory over Limerick with a 20page supplement but all the regional papers give sport considerable coverage.