SOME people seem to develop exotic addictions. At one time addicts were limited to alcohol and hard drugs, but then soft drugs like tobacco and cannabis were added. Now sex is included, since Tiger Woods was treated in a clinic.

ALTHOUGH it has become somewhat trendy to denigrate the leadership of Éamon de Valera, he led by magnificent example both at home and on the world stage in the 1930s.

WITH the rumblings of Garglegate in Galway still continuing, we had the story of PJ Sheehan threatening the young garda outside Leinster House when she prevented him from driving his car because he had too much to drink.

BRIAN Cowen’s interview on Tuesday’s Morning Ireland lasted little over nine minutes, but it had enormous reverberations, even though he essentially said nothing. He just fobbed off all the hard questions.

IVOR CALLELY may have had a valid point when he questioned the way the Seanad deplored his claims for more than €81,000 in expenses, largely for travelling from his holiday home in west Cork to Dublin on Oireachtas business. He contended he was entitled to claim the travelling expenses from his holiday home.

ALTHOUGH we should learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others, we persist in following the failed tactics of the US in relation to drugs. Our drug problems, which began in Dublin, have gradually spread throughout the country.

DURING the Rose of Tralee selection last Tuesday night, Dáithí O Sé mentioned “dry counties” to the Texas Rose. It was the first time I had heard the term being used for a long time, but I do remember the first time I heard of a “dry county”.

DURING the week RTÉ televised a fascinating documentary on of the discovery in Dublin of the priceless Caravaggio painting, The Betrayal of Christ. Its whereabouts had been a mystery for more than 200 years before it was found hanging in the dining room of the Jesuits’ house on Leeson Street, where it had been for some 60 years.

OVER the years the media and politicians exhibited an unhealthy deference towards the Catholic clergy and hierarchy in this country.

IVOR Callely is being investigated by committee of Fianna Fáil for “conduct unbecoming a member” of the party.