Weekend events, which included three suspected drug-related deaths and nine stabbing incidents at one open-air concert, will probably provoke the usual the-country’s-gone-to-hell-in-a-handcart tirades but maybe we should pause and look just a bit more deeply at the cultural evolution that has brought us to the point where someone will, for no reason at all, stab perfect strangers at a concert.

Yesterday’s sensational and terribly disconcerting accusation by Fianna Fáil deputy and chairman of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) John McGuinness cannot be ignored.

Anyone who has paid for a stay in hospital will be aware of the astronomical cost of a bed.

Yesterday’s confirmation in the Dáil from Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin that the Government will extend Freedom of Information legislation to all public bodies, including An Garda Síochána and the Central Bank, is very welcome.

At the time of writing, the predicted and dreaded three weeks’ rain falling in one evening for Ireland’s east coast has begun.

The Irish are as good as anyone at brushing inconvenient truths under the carpet but hopefully we’ve reached the point where we can face uncomfortable issues, resolve them and make sure that the take-home lesson is learnt.

The job of the gardaí can be difficult and dangerous and the contribution they make to society can hardly be underestimated.

It is terribly dispiriting that almost one-in-three Irish women still smoke.

The Irish Postmasters’ Union claimed yesterday savings of over €50m could be made by expanding the services offered in post offices.

It is easy enough to talk about the idea of society, of collegiality, of collective responsibility, of a robust, positive national pride, even of a community-wide unity of purpose.