What the papers say

Journalist Keith Baker takes a look at what is making the headlines in Friday's morning newspapers.

Of course, the death of Robert Dunlop is the main story on the local front pages.

The Belfast Telegraph and the News Letter both have pictures of him on the starting grid before he began the practice session that would claim his life.

The Mirror shows him talking to his son Michael, and there's a similar picture in the News Letter.

There are accounts of what happened - a general estimate of a speed of 160 mph, and of course memories of the death of his brother Joey.

A friend tells the Mirror: "He's been in so many scrapes in the past but always pulled through. This time he just couldn't make it."

In the News Letter, motorcycle writer Dermot James describes him as an icon.

Robert's death has thrown a dark curtain not only over the sport but the Northern Ireland psyche as a whole Jimmy Walker Belfast Telegraph

"He lived and died for road racing, and paid the ultimate price on one of his favourite circuits," he says.

The News Letter also points out that the tragedy comes at a time when safety at road race meetings is under scrutiny and it reminds us of the death of another rider Martin Finnegan at the Tandragee 100 just a few weeks ago.

In the Belfast Telegraph, sports reporter Jimmy Walker talks about the Robert Dunlop he knew.

"I was proud to call him one of my closest friends," he says.

The reporter reveals that he'd just been asked to write his life story.

He says Robert's death has "thrown a dark curtain not only over the sport but the Northern Ireland psyche as a whole".

'Did she get it right?'

In other news, there is plenty of comment about Caitríona Ruane's proposals.

The News Letter talks of a "rancorous debate" at Stormont on Thursday and says she failed the executive's test.

The Mirror thinks some sort of deal may be on the cards and that plans to scrap the 11-plus may be ditched.

A leader in the Irish News carries the headline: "Good work but could do better."

It says she appears to be moving in the right direction but she has more to do to convince parents, teachers and political opponents that she can deliver an agreed, workable, high-quality system.

The Belfast Telegraph asks the question: "Did she get it right this time?"

Yes, says Sinn Fein's education spokesman John O'Dowd.

He tells the paper the proposals offer a sensible, planned and reasonable road map away from the current system.

No, says Sir Ken Bloomfield of the Association for Quality Education.

Yet again, he says, the minister has shown an "extraordinary and almost unique ability to alienate almost everyone concerned".

The Dublin papers have some good news for the Republic of Ireland's new prime minister Brian Cowen.

The Irish Times and Independent both have the results of a poll showing that Fianna Fáil is enjoying a major boost in popularity after the departure of Bertie Ahern.

'Pack of wolves'

In the cross-channel papers there's anger over the violence in Manchester on Wednesday night, along with plenty of pictures of the damage and the debris.

The Mail's man on the spot says: "A football match? This felt more like a war zone."

The Sun calls the rioters "a pack of wolves".

These were no bravehearts, it says, but "booze-fuelled cowards bolstered by cheap beer and their sheer number".

Finally the Irish News gives us the latest pronouncement from Judge Sean Martin McBride who presides at Monaghan District Court.

When a woman from Tyrone found she didn't have any euros to pay for her bail, he said she showed the "typical thickness" of Tyrone people.

The Irish News points out that this isn't the first time the judge has said what he thinks.

Last year, he had to apologise for saying during a robbery case that if he had a licensed shotgun he'd blow the head off anyone who came into his house.

And a few years ago he claimed to be grossly insulted by a defendant's address which was given as Londonderry.