D Tuesday, December 22, 2009 METRO 11 Q6: What do you call a cat with a Hitler moustache? To P13 Cold comfort firearm: The snowball fight in Washington that the detective failed to see the funny side of Pictures: Universal Come out with your balls up... THIS humourless officers overreaction to a snowball fight sent shivers down the spines of these revellers. Faced with becoming the target of a high-spirited snowballing crowd, he pulled his firearm. It all started after some Washingtonians organised a snowfight via Twitter on Saturday. Some snowballs went astray and struck the cars windscreen. Not filled with Christmas cheer, the detective stepped out of his Hummer and drew his pistol but thankfully didnt fire his weapon. But his response to the question, Did you pull a gun? was priceless. Yes, because I got hit by snowballs, he said. The officer has since been placed on desk duty. Cowen reflects on toughest political year BRIAN COWEN last night declared the past year was the toughest of his politi- cal life as he warned Ireland still faces a difficult road ahead. In an informal Christmas briefing, the Taoiseach said the unprecedented events of 2009 had been extremely difficult for him on a personal level. The Fianna Fil leader also admitted he had some regrets since taking over from Bertie Ahern. For me personally, of course, it was the most difficult year that I faced in my political life thats for sure, he said. But Mr Cowen added it was a tougher year for the thousands who lost their jobs as well as those on the receiving end of this months slash-and-burn Budget. In a candid admission of the scale of the difficulties facing the nation, he re- ferred to hot and heavy exchanges around the Cabinet table at times as min- isters grappled with huge decisions. But he rubbished speculation of a dam- aging split with Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, saying that while his colleagues shared different opinions at times there was always a collective agreement. This wasnt about politics this year, the countrys future was at stake, he said. There were very serious issues, big decisions had to be taken by this Government in the last 12 to 15 months big decisions. But hopefully, theyll help us pull through. Adding that the effort wasnt over, he said: The really important thing at the end of this year is... there is a greater de- gree of certainty as to where we are going even if we have some road to travel yet. Mr Cowen said priorities for the year ahead were to get the banking system back on track and investment in jobs. Accepting he was still on a learning curve as Taoiseach, Mr Cowen said: Of course... but when you come into this job you take responsibility from day one. by brian huTTon Taoiseach: ireland still faces a difficult road ahead No grey areas for rape victims THE Dublin Rape Crisis Centre has issued guidelines for people socialising at Christmas and said there are no grey areas for victims of rape and sexual assault. Sex with another person without their consent is a crime, a spokesperson said. Last year, the service saw calls to its 24-hour helpline increase by 20 per cent on the previous year. The DRCCs helpline is 1800 77 8888. AN OBSESSIVE thief has been convicted of shoplifting after cleaning a store out of Marmite. Nicholas Welch received a 12-month supervision order after swiping 18 jars in four different raids from a Spar store in England. In desperation, manager Jim Keary stopped selling the spread for weeks. Welch, 30, was finally caught when people recognised him on CCTV. Thief is a gluten for punishment index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html