CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

no 1,248

For today’s solutions, text CLUE followed by the clue (eg: ‘CLUE 1 Down’) to 53307 ¤0.60 per sms received. SP Phonovation, PO Box 6, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. Helpline 0818 217100

Across

1 Official papers are back with revelations on political votes (9). 6 Former criminal caught for times in energy business (2-3). 9 Popular cheese, fine and to the point (2,5).

10 Employ again, minding empty cruel extreme social distancer (7). 11 One supports art in progress when interrupting swimmer (5). 12 Presents fish as welcoming gesture (9).

13 Yes, alarm is working in monastery (8).

15 One draws level (4).

19 Bouncing Australian daughter on perch (4).

20 Left some grass around old lady at home (8).

23 Drink beer with one following players (9).

24 Breathing disorder comes from mishap near bedtime (5).

26 Talk softly where incomplete online service provider interrupts (7). 27 Travel from here to snog with superior? (3,4).

28 Prevent one in herd eating top of tree (5).

29 Most clever, getting energy in health check (5,4).

Down

1 Club divided by measure once for one talking nonsense (9). 2 Competes surrounding black emotions (5).

3 Don’t be so dirty with water-based plant rearing! (8). 4 Derivative does away with bit of laughter (8).

5 By the way, step on a ladder is threaded (6).

6 Duty is cut out (6).

7 Generation of an effect for a cousin at play (9).

8 Relative is agreeable to mind drug (5).

14 Undecided matter to indicate after low time (4,5). 16 Lavish welcome for radical alien bearing complaint (3,6). 17 Stay ready for farming, such as may be tolerated (8).

18 A sarcasm expressed about old hair oil (8).

21 Inactivity on hill and one river after another (6).

22 Begins with celeb — poet Eliot initially (6).

23 Scattered, but married in this way (5).

25 One who’s incompetent concerning fertiliser (5).

Solution to Sunday Independent Cryptic Crossword no 1,247 Across: 1 Card game; 9 Glossary; 10 Eggs; 11 Heroin addict; 13 Starch; 14 Tanked up; 15 Invoice; 16 Militia; 20 Equipper; 22 Notice; 23 Loss adjuster; 25 Ewer; 26 Seraglio; 27 Nightcap.

Down: 2 Au gratin; 3 Disharmonies; 4 Anarchic; 5 Egoists; 6 Domain; 7 Taxi; 8 Dystopia; 12 Deep interest; 15 Idealist; 17 Igniting; 18 In camera; 19 Crouton; 21 Paddle; 24 Sort. The Sunday Independent Cryptic Crossword Book, with 60 crosswords, is available for €8.50, incl. postage. Call 0860836868 or email glenbower46@gmail.com Email us at sundaypuzzles@independent.ie