Two-speed coffeebreak

Two sets of clues – but the answers are the same

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

3 The fear somehow gets some down (7) 7 Merchant who gives you a hand! (6) 8 Lock restrains one grand cat (7) 9 Daughter has diamonds to gamble (4) 11 Search for a swimmer (4) 12 Woman takes it to be important (5) 15 Laugh about a large ring (4) 16 Pleasant French resort (4) 17 Idly work on first long poem (5) 18 Feeble sort of meal (4) 19 Chap gets record assistance (4) 21 Conspired to get some land with Edward (7) 22 Time caught in city business (6) 23 Learned to rue diet changes (7)

DOWN

1 Border of hedges (4) 2 Aid ugly performance in a bright way (7) 3 Get key to engrave (5) 4 Creepy-sounding lake (4) 5 Deadly station (8) 6 Noise is unfortunate result (6) 10 Single ladies to dance (8) 11 Notes craze (3) 13 One Frenchman threw paint around drums (7) 14 Faced with expert (3) 15 Trendy dish for peace-lover (6) 18 Broke leg vaulting German rock shelf (5) 19 Hate adjusting temperature (4) 20 Fluctuate like a toy (2-2)

Solutions in tomorrow’s Irish Daily Mirror

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

3 Plume (7) 7 Purveyor (6) 8 Female predator (7) 9 Cube (4) 11 Sea creature (4) 12 Essential (5) 15 Saintly glow (4) 16 Agreeable (4) 17 Perfect place (5) 18 Crippled (4) 19 Lend a hand (4) 21 Schemed (7) 22 Bureau (6) 23 Educated (7)

DOWN

1 Margin (4) 2 Garishly (7) 3 Bring (5) 4 Great Lake (4) 5 Airport area (8) 6 Steal cattle (6) 10 Separate (8) 11 Trend (3) 13 Kettle drums (7) 14 Playing card (3) 15 1960s figure (6) 18 Sill (5) 19 Warmth (4) 20 Stringed toy (2-2)

Solutions in tomorrow’s Irish Daily Mirror