Mary Fitzpatrick smiles down in splendid isolation from the ESB poles of Main Street, Swords. She is alone among Euro election candidates in occupying high vantage on the thoroughfare. All the other posters are for the locals, candidates of a lesser political god, but perhaps one that has far more relevance to the lives of the voters.

OVER the past year people have been spending significantly less at bars, on petrol and clothes.

Business chiefs have hit out at today's proposed work stoppage by air traffic controllers, claiming it is unjustified and will damage the country’s image.