With Irish print media shedding a tear for Sean Fitzpatrick this week, I'm reminded of three other well less known figures who shaped the landscape of Irish culture.

1. Gerard Lake 1744 - 1808
The original law and order man, best known for his quest to reduce violent conflict in Ireland by disarming the populace and minimise insurgent behaviour. Remembered today for his relatable qualities such as his love of a few pints and the odd flutter on race day.

2. Charles Edward Trevelyan 1807 - 1886
Not many people are remembered in traditional song, but you'll hear this man's name being sung from Galway to Liverpool. Charles had a strong belief in Irish autonomy and set us on the road to being a self sufficient economy.

3. William Martin Murphy 1845 - 1919
A proponent of the free press and job creation, believed in Irish unity, remembered for helping Dublin rebuild after 1916 through renovation projects and calls for renewing peace.

This week a former Sinn Fein Council member has called on the government to reintroduce a species known as the Francis Hughes back into the environment.

Native to County Derry and last seen in the wild in 1978, the rogue bandit was well sought after for its song and natural camouflage. Known for rambling the countryside but with only rare sightings recorded, he is fondly talked about in local legend as a symbol of freedom and good luck.

Some farmers are concerned about the threat to livestock from reintroducing the predator but the former Sinn Fein Council member has ensured media that the bandit only stalks aggressive fowl and has a much larger part to play in the counter militerisation ecosystem.

There's not much support for the proposal at present but the former Council member says he may review plans in the next 30 years and hopes to see the return of Francis Hughes in his lifetime.

Things that influence 16 year olds - who pays their pocket money, Justin Bieber, Simon Harris tik-tok videos. With this in mind it's hard to justify lowering the voting age to include teenagers with zero life experience and political opinions obtained from the back of a Frosties cereal box.

Any one vote could swing an election, people's lives and livelihoods are on the ballot paper. Call me a centrist but I wouldn't be too happy if my bus driver was a sixteen year old or my dentist was a sevteen year old. Sure you might have the odd gifted young driver but am I going to let that determine the rules of the road, not a chance.

Young people are more likely to be easily influenced by topical issues without considering economic implications, the vast majority of teenagers will have no concern for what's done with the adults tax money and they will make impulsive decisions based on some fad they've picked up at the latest Twilight convention.

Rugrats who've recently graduated from creche voting in the next minister for video games and theme parks is no way to run a country.

The biggest worry with lowering the voting age is that the majority of kids will look to one or two sources for guidance and you'll end up with larger votes for the established parties, locking people into voting habits from a younger age without them ever exploring or developing individual political beliefs.

While we shouldn't discourage young people from considering politics and/or political activism, I think we should also avoid confusing enthusiasm and responsibility. While a small portion of younglings are politically atune the vast majority are still trading pokemon cards and completely a bliss to the world around them. If I was to give any 16 year looking for a voting card some advice, I'd say you just need to continue growing up, you're nearly there. In the mean time try get involved with local campaigns and work on developing political views through existing organisations.