2018 Phoenix Annual Crossword

[vinpaul]

A few clues have me stumped. Seeking help, Thanks in advance

12 ac “Does this refer to the haggard girl who has been away from the illegal grog shop” (3) ??E
25ac “He left the old queen to go to a place far from the eastern Mediterranean” (4) ???A [could be LENA, from HELENA]
31ac “Will another term for schoolmaster show he’s in pain? Actually, its vice versa?” (4) A???
40ac “Fair maiden holding her begins meddling in proscribed organisation” (4) I??? [could it be IRMA] ??
26dn “The degree to which banned group moves base from eastern Med to western Atlantic" (7) ?????S
66dn “Coming after all those easy clues, this is too simple” (4) A?S?

[donny48]

12 she(been)

[donny48]

12 A shebeen (Irish: síbín) was originally an illicit bar or club where excisable alcoholic beverages were sold without a licence

[dannyk13]

12a.She ( novel by Rider Haggard)
40a.Irma - m(aiden) inside IRA(proscribed organisation)

[TIGGER1971]

12 ac. SHE (she been)

[goodgoalie]

Is there a theme? Girl's names or similar?

[dannyk13]

25a. (He)Cuba

[dannyk13]

31a.(te)ACHE(r)

[vinpaul]

looks like BAHAMAS after all those great helpers

[dannyk13]

Bahamas- BA(degree) + hamas(banned group)

[vinpaul]

last one looks like ALSO. Very subtle. Does anybody agree with me?

[dannyk13]

Also looks OK