My hometown has been in the news of late.
About a week ago, there were riots there. Yes, full-blown riots, with such delights as hatchets, petrol bombs, machetes and iron bars on display (hilariously, the local publication, the Westmeath Examiner, also lists 'a balaclava' as one of the fearsone weapons), with almost a hundred people participating in the fun. Most frightening of all was that it took place on a Tuesday morning, and was not fuelled by booze, but rather by greviances between rival traveller families.
Also in the news in a young man called John-Joe Joyce who is boxing for Ireland at the Olympics. He one of Ireland's brightest hopes for a medal at a games where we don't really have much hope at all. To win the gold, he will have to punch four more men repeatedly in the head and face, aiming to knock them out without getting knocked out himself. Sounds like unmissable entertainment to me.
Might just hide in my bedroom when I'm back in this delightful town in two weeks time.
