IRISH DAILY MAIL CROSSWORD

NO 15962

ACROSS

1 First sign (7) 5 Politicos mostly absorb what’s all around them (6) 9 One’s conspicuous, sitting outside, content to wait (7) 10 Snooty Luke played extremely large instrument (7) 11 It’s spread on timber and roads primarily (3) 12 Tree in front of entry had spoiled water outlet (4,7) 13 Promise small conflict involving Spain (5) 14 Frank goes over revised pier plan (9) 16 Extreme nuts cross river having made no preparation (9) 17 Big Smoke recalled in tragicomedy (5) 19 Rep stocks blue tights primarily? He’s maybe a liar (11) 22 Returned French marshal’s money (3) 23 Where things suddenly appear, some within aircraft (4,3) 24 Smelly solvent destroys path in New Hampshire area (7) 26 It’s not mobile making crackling noise (6) 27 Veil cattle in Tibet carrying wood close to farm (7)

DOWN

1 Writer’s favourite American drive (7) 2 Meddlesome, yet cultivate no interest in ITV (15) 3 Arctic explorers cross it (3) 4 Lake consumed river eventually (5) 5 Wood maybe on river hides hotel where members meet (9) 6 Swimmer first to spot coin (5) 7 Software that’s followed by efficient surgeons (9,6) 8 Music group that should stay in control of record (6) 12 Document about university meeting (5) 14 According to organic data, it decays with microbe (9) 15 Public relations enlists one temporary frontrunner (5) 16 Mock bunch of skiers at Zermatt (6) 18 Managed to fire rifle (7) 20 Bridge player supports unknown agent to raise dough (5) 21 Spare weekend in two American cities (5) 25 Old man’s step (3)