AS we ponder and fret about the refugee crisis along Europe’s southern borders and worry for the safety of migrant families, we must not forget the refugee crisis on our own doorstep.

IRISH WATER must be the most accident-prone institution ever established here. Since its inception, it has been the subject of impassioned debate and trenchant criticism — not without reason.

YESTERDAY was another long, harrowing day for Joan and John Mulcair, from Corbally, Limerick, who attended the inquest into the death after her birth of their daughter Caoimhe. A verdict of medical misadventure was reached.

JUST as our friends and neighbours in the North can only look on in despair — or even indifference — as Stormont politicians of all hues talk themselves into another frenzy of no-surrender obstructionism, the citizens of Europe, most of whom want a humane response to the growing refugee crisis, can only look on in frustration fast turning to shame as national ministers struggle to agree on how each EU member state might contribute proportionately to a community-wide response.

IMAGINE the wave of panic and great anxiety that swept through a small community in north Cork on Monday when the news that a school bus carrying 52 secondary school students had run off the road in poor driving conditions.

LAST Sunday, in an event that in so many ways transcended sport, Cork camogie captain Ashling Thompson captained her county team to win the All Ireland title decisively. Even though Galway supporters — and even some neutrals — might have preferred a different conclusion anyone who knows the personal journey successfully negotiated by Thompson will recognise that her sport was a just a conduit to redemption.

THE Irish Water debacle reflects so very badly on our political administration, and so many citizens’ unrealistic expectations, that it is almost unpatriotic to unnecessarily raise the subject. It is the family scandal that no one wants to talk about anymore unless they really have to.

THOUGH they have a long way to go before they reach the dizzying heights – or depths – of Italian post-war political instability, Australians can be forgiven if they have become a little confused by the musical chairs in their prime minister’s office. 

DESPITE Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s protestations that this Government will run its full course before he calls a general election next year, a clamour for an early ballot is rising as Fine Gael backbenchers urge him to go to the country sooner rather than later. 

EVERYONE will welcome the assurance given by senior Sinn Féin member, Bobby Storey, that the IRA has stood down, is gone off the stage and is not coming back.