There comes a time in spring when The Menu pokes his nose into the air and draws deep a draught from the east, checking the wind for first stirrings of his beloved West Waterford Festival of Food in Dungarvan (April 10-14).

Three tearful teenage girls gave graphic details of the night they were trapped in a car rapidly filling with icy water after it plunged upside down into a river while they were being driven to a disco.