Charity shops an essential part of the landscape of the new Irish society

It may not apply across a broad media front. It may not even apply right across the Irish Examiner’s front. A lowly columnist cannot be held responsible for what news editors and leader writers decide.

But, within this little section of the paper, I hereby declare a moratorium on Bertie Ahern, Manchester, Houses, Whiparounds, Michael McDowell, Sulks, Socks in Hot Presses and Tribunal Leaks.

Now, don’t you feel better? Of course you do. Everybody needs a temporary refuge from further discussion of those topics. An asylum from topic-battering.