Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Two-speed coffeebreak
Two sets of clues – but the answers are the same CRYPTIC CLUES
ACROSS 3 Article more about idea (7) 7 British rascal has Irish accent (6) 8 Clean city below (7) 9 Show contempt for skewer (4) 11 Phase pets out (4) 12 Picture one game being played (5) 15 Burn small spike (4) 16 We’re off to get a jug (4) 17 Harms layout of bog (5) 18 Midge has unexpected tang (4) 19 Bread riot develops (4) 21 Sot reaches sea with hesitation (7) 22 Calm queen seen running round (6) 23 Viewer allows openings (7) DOWN 1 Sailor finds the French skilful (4) 2 Follow celebrity, visible at night (3,4) 3 Put up with having left one Dutch export (5) 4 Hate adjusting temperature (4) 5 Name torn off trinket (8) 6 Crows make a killing (6) 10 Private wears no pearls (8) 11 Lose argument about the Baltic, say (3) 13 A loaded report was in store (7) 14 Procure from strange tradesman (3) 15 Papers required in order of gems, if only a few (6) 18 Sticks note on rose variety (5) 19 The others relax (4) 20 Navy bird? (4)
QUICK CLUES
ACROSS 3 Hypothesis (7) 7 Patterned shoe (6) 8 Wash (7) 9 Roasting rod (4) 11 Stair (4) 12 Likeness (5) 15 Char (4) 16 Pitcher (4) 17 Swamp (5) 18 Biting insect (4) 19 Flat bread (4) 21 Toper (7) 22 Peaceful (6) 23 Lace holes (7) DOWN 1 Competent (4) 2 Sirius (3,4) 3 Flower (5) 4 Warmth (4) 5 Knick-knack (8) 6 Assassinate (6) 10 Characteristic (8) 11 Body of water (3) 13 Expected (7) 14 Obtain (3) 15 Small amount (6) 18 Pierces (5) 19 Pause (4) 20 Small bird (4)