What the papers say

Journalist Mike Philpott takes a look at Friday's morning newspapers.

The news agenda of the two Belfast papers have very little in common this morning.

The News Letter opts, under its main headline, for a warning by Ulster Unionist Lord Kilclooney that the Good Friday Agreement could collapse within a year because of government ineptitude.

The Irish News goes instead for the conviction of a man and woman in a case linked to the murder of Robert Hamill in Portadown five years ago.

The paper says the couple, who were accused of lying to provide an alibi, might never have appeared in court if it had not been for the Hamill family's campaign for justice.

Why are the courts not overflowing with people accused of riotous behaviour and other serious offence

Irish News

In a leader, it focuses on events in north Belfast and comments that the stupidity of those who are perpetuating the violence knows no bounds.

Those who are living in fear will support firm measures to end this misery, says the paper.

Official circles

But it wonders why the courts are not overflowing with people accused of riotous behaviour and other serious offences.

It is essential, it says, that those who manufacture and use deadly weapons like petrol or pipe bombs should receive a clear message that they will not get away with it.

Insurance companies are likely to be raided in the coming weeks as part of an official investigation into allegations of price-fixing

Irish Independent

The News Letter says the families of the Omagh bomb victims have every right to feel perplexed over "the apparent runaround" they are being given in official circles.

Nearly four years on, it says, the assurances given by Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern in the wake of the attack are being seen as nothing more than self-serving rhetoric.

The paper is pessimistic about the chances of progress in the investigation, but it says that should not prevent it from being pursued with the utmost vigour.

The papers in Dublin both carry words and pictures telling the story of Thursday night's protest against police tactics during a street demonstration earlier this week.

'Widely-held belief'

William Hederman, a journalist with the Irish Times, tells his own story of being arrested by the police at a cyclists' rally.

The incoming government must turn its attention to consumer rights, which have been so badly neglected in the past

Irish Independent

He says the events of this week pose major questions for a free democracy.

Chief among them "is the right to peaceful protest".

The Irish Independent notes that some insurance companies are likely to be raided in the coming weeks as part of an official investigation into allegations of price-fixing.

The paper comments that there is a widely-held belief that a cartel operates in the industry in Ireland, given that premiums are 50% higher than in the next most expensive European country, Germany.

It concludes that the incoming government must turn its attention to consumer rights, "which have been so badly neglected in the past".