The papers have struggled to move on from yesterday’s news – it’s more on the massacres, more inflated expenses claims and more on the demise of Rafa Benitez.
The Front Pages
The expenses rows are still rumbling across the front pages of the broadsheets this morning. There is also some space reserved for the day’s other big stories – the visit of Ian Paisley to Dublin and some further developments in the Derrick Bird/Israeli massacre stories.
Here’s how some of the other main headlines read:
‘Cowen fury over second expenses row senator ’– The Irish Independent.
‘Israel may ease Gaza blockade after US contact’ – The Irish Times.
‘Callely isolated by party as probe launched’ – The Irish Examiner.
The Irish Independent reports that Cowen is demanding an explanation from a second Fianna Fail senator who is claiming expenses from a house 125km from Dublin, despite having a long-term home in the capital.
The Irish Times reckon Israel is about to make a dramatic reversal of policy by easing the naval blockade on Gaza. The move comes as activists on board the Irish-owned aid ship MV Rachel Corrie dismissed reports that the vessel was returning to dock. It’s Gaza or bust for those fellas.
The Examiner reports that Ivor Callely is being isolated by his party over his travel expenses claims. The Seanad watchdog committee has ordered an investigation into that €81,015 we gave him.
Tales from the Tabs
Derrick Bird and his murderous rampage is still hanging in there as the main story in the tabloids this morning. However, there are a number of new angles starting to emerge.
The Irish Sun gets top points for relating the story to Ireland: ‘Psycho cabbie was my friend – Irishman’s shock over murder rampage’ reads the headline. They have secured an interview with Irishman John Coughlan who reckons the murderer was a “nice guy†and that he “always had a smile on his faceâ€. Fancy that.
The Irish Sun hasn’t neglected the Bird rampage issue – page 4/5 has a story how the fact that he was cut out of a will prompted him to go on the killing spree. They also have a nice little story on the bottom of page 4 about how Bird ‘made seedy movies with Thai hookers which he liked to leer at on his mobile phone’. It’s always the ones you least expect.
The Irish Daily Mail is in bullish mood over the Callely expenses row. ‘Could Callely face charges?’ is the headline/question. Apparently the Seanad’s ethics committees says he is breaking the law. Anyone reckon he or any other corrupt politician in this country might actually do a stint in the big house?
The Irish News leads with a slightly unusual story. ‘Ireland’s getting smaller’ is the headline. Apparently the country’s improved road network means the island is effectively smaller than ever and that better links between the North and South will bring us closer together. Isn’t that sweet!
The Irish Daily Mirror is running with the rampage story, and have chosen to focus on Bird’s two young sons. ‘What has Dad done?’ is the headline. They even splashed the faces of the two blameless youngsters across the page. Nice one lads. Sins of the father and all that.
The Sports Pages
The big one today on the sports pages is news that Liverpool’s hunt is on to replace Rafa Benitez. Apparently Kenny Dalglish was seen knocking about the place and a bunch of eager punters rushed to put money on him. Bit premature – the papers reckon he has been brought in to help Liverpool to find the right man for the job.
Here are some of the headlines:
‘Find us a new boss Kenny!’ – The Irish Sun
‘King Kenny – Dalglish brought in to lure Hodgson or O’Neill’ – The Irish Daily Mail
‘O’Neill the early favourate to replace Benitez’– The Irish News
The Irish Independent has run a story about Kerry’s adventures in the Championship. The headline reads, ‘O’Sullivan drafted in by Kingdom after Galvin loses fitness battle’. Apparently Kerry will be going up against the mighty Cork on Sunday without their talismanic half-forward Paul Galvin. Ouch.
The Irish Sun also carries some build up to the Ireland v Barbarians game. Apparently John Muldoon, the Connaght colossus is ready and willing for action in tonight’s game in Thomond Park.
The Irish Daily Mail lets its ‘Irish’ mask slip slightly in its World Cup coverage. They carry a large pointless story on pages 58/59 about England arriving in Africa complete with shots of the players fresh from the coach watching a dance performance outside their hotel. Whoop-dee-doo.
