IRISH DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Curious this: odd bits are missing from British tops (1-6) 5 Join up scattered pieces of tinsel (6) 9 Scotsman with sword beheaded? That’s gruesome (7) 10 Tungsten drill bit as climbing aid in plant (7) 11 Grass topped, leaving bristly part (3) 12 Congenial mystic misled about old newsreel company (11) 13 Sick touring Derry’s walls? It’s a charming scene (5) 14 Lost strength, heading off in great pain (9) 16 Drunk prince at first continued to hug his mother (9) 17 Ring left out for sorceress (5) 19 Hop on one leg to find vegetable (6,5) 22 Eggnog occasionally produces selfconfidence (3) 23 Flyer that appears in spring (7) 24 Underwater blood-sucker almost disabled victim (7) 26 It’s vital to eat fennel regularly with enthusiasm (6) 27 Flog business during sudden growth (7) DOWN 1 Percussion section nearly panic after a short time (7) 2 He collects a racing car key adjusted for taxi (7,8) 3 Polish problem (3) 4 Small group of players showing momentum (5) 5 Grinding gears tend to become separated (9) 6 Start clearing away a meal (5) 7 Better research evolved about radical job on battlefield (9-6) 8 Mild Plaid Cymru leader intervenes (6) 12 Croatian port, 5 Down (5) 14 Irish toil non-stop in Kildare town, ready to fly (9) 15 Old Peruvian about to open pub (5) 16 It grinds top of tooth during fitful sleep (6) 18 Commanding officer enters Jaguar for special race (7) 20 Fabric used in cottony longjohns? Yes and no (5) 21 Turns over slide that needs repairing (5) 25 Low satellite with no name (3)