Last week, Kilgarvan’s finest, Danny Healy-Rae, TD, called in the Dáil for a permit system that would allow a fellow down a few pints in a rural pub, and then drive home with immunity from the law.

A judge has told a chronic alcoholic that he better join the Pioneers — otherwise he will be sent to jail next week.

THE Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) faces imminent closure unless new funds are received.

THAT iconic organisation — the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association — may have to pull down the shutters because the well has run dry. Though our economic collapse may have something to do with it, the age of its members and the Catholic Church’s loss of influence must be contributory factors too.

LAST week witnessed the death of Fr Daniel Dargan, the Jesuit who directed the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association (PTAA) from 1957-’77.

Off licences around the country should shut down every year for St Patrick’s Day, it was claimed today.

MUCH is made of the often inter-related evils of drink, drugs, violence and crime now afflicting so many of our young people.

WHEN the good china tea set was produced at the National Ploughing Association marquee yesterday, it was clear sign the Taoiseach was on the way.