What the papers say

Journalist Fionola Meredith takes a look at what is making the headlines in Monday's morning papers.

Many papers focus on Tony Blair's candid admission on Australian radio that he "might have made a mistake" when he announced 18 months ago that he would not be seeking a fourth term in office.

The Guardian reports that the prime minister has privately set a date for his departure - but it is unlikely he will go any time soon, and not before the financial crisis in the health service is resolved.

But the Daily Mail is incredulous, asking: "Is it really conceivable that our lame-duck prime minister intends to limp on for another two years or more?"

It says that Tony Blair is driven by the "elusive quest for a positive legacy", but adds that the idea that the prime minister can still go "legacy shopping" and produce something lasting for the history books is "laughable".

Advances in DNA technology mean that weapons seized decades ago could lead police to terrorist killers.

So says the News Letter, which welcomes the news.

It adds that it will be "ironic if the finger which pulled the trigger" is the same one which ultimately points police in the direction of the killer.

The family of Gerard Lawlor, the 19-year-old Catholic man shot dead by loyalists, has denounced the police investigation which has failed to yield a single arrest in almost four years since the murder.

Shots fired

That's the lead story in the Irish News, which also claims that Mr Lawlor's parents suspect that the killers are "being protected because they are informants".

Meanwhile, the paper's editorial calls for "drastic action" against gangsters and their guns, after a Dublin man was injured when the vehicle he was travelling in was fired on apparently by someone travelling in another car.

The Irish Times carries a detailed report on the incident.

It says the gardai believe that more than 20 shots were fired in the attack, linked to a drugs feud.

Meanwhile, anti-abortionists are adopting tactics associated with animal rights extremists in an escalating campaign of intimidation.

That's according to the Guardian, which reports that the latest victims of harassment by a group called UK Life League are the pupils and teachers at a Catholic girls school in Surrey.

Eagle lands

Apparently, activists are being encouraged to "bombard the head teacher, Diana Vernon, with hate e-mails".

According to the paper, police sources say they will be closely watching the activities of the UK Life League, and the man behind it - that is James Dowson, a businessman and self-styled vicar, who is said to be a former member of the Orange Order in Northern Ireland, and who keeps an office in Belfast.

And finally, the Daily Telegraph reports on a heart-warming reunion.

A tame African eagle was so unhappy after being sold to new owners that she flew 200 miles home.

Lucy, a three-year-old African tawny eagle, did not enjoy her new life in Reading, Berkshire, so she set off on a two week journey back to her former home in Malham, North Yorkshire.

Titus Wardle, 21, who sold Lucy for £3,000 to a southern buyer, was shocked to see Lucy sitting on a dry stone wall near his home.

Due to Lucy's devotion to him, Mr Wardle has decided to keep the bird - and he's refunded the buyer's £3,000.