SATURDAY/SUNDAY
THERE was speculation the IRA was moving towards a ceasefire and that a special convention was to be called.
Even though the Sinn Fein leadership denied any knowledge of an imminent ceasefire, Garda intelligence sources were indicating that, during the summer when the North came close to sectarian conflict, the balance of opinion within the IRA swung towards support for a ceasefire and the political path led by Sinn Fein.
Mayo and Meath drew in the All Ireland football final at Croke Park, the first draw since 1988. The replay will be on September 29th.
One of the State's foremost experts in education and a duty editor of The Irish Times, Christina Murphy, died on Sunday morning. There were tributes to her from a wide circle, including the President, Mrs Robinson, the Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach, as well as former ministers, leaders of teaching unions and many others involved in education.
Aer Lingus pilots served seven day strike notice on the company. If the strike over pay goes ahead, widespread disruption is expected.
MONDAY
The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, continued to discount reports that the IRA planned to hold a convention to renew the ceasefire.
As sources continued to indicate that there were good grounds for the reports, Mr Adams categorically denied that he had any knowledge of such a development.
The pilots dispute escalated with Aer Lingus warning that unless negotiations opened immediately it would be forced to issue protective notice.
Travel agents warned of the damage a strike would do to Aer Lingus as customers would switch allegiance to other airlines.
Direct Action Against Drugs, considered to be a cover for the IRA, admitted it murdered a man in the markets area of Belfast. Mr Sean Devlin is the eighth victim of DAAD's campaign.
Independent Newspapers is making a £442 million bid for the Wilson & Horton newspaper group in New Zealand. There has been opposition to the acquisition from within New Zealand.
TUESDAY
The controversy over the amount of social welfare fraud, disclosed in a survey conducted by the Central Statistics Office, continued and proposals were drawn up by the Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa to counter the fraud. These include putting photographs of claimants on social welfare cards. There has been widespread criticism of the Department for failing to detect fraudulent claims of some £250 million per year.
A retired judge was appointed to inquire into allegations that vulnerable youths were passed from State care into the care of a paedophile priest. The allegations, dating from the 1980s, have been made by a number of former residents of State run institutions in the Waterford and Kilkenny areas.
WEDNESDAY
Almost 900 jobs are to be lost with the announcement that two foreign companies are to close their plants in the Republic. They are Continental AG, which produces Semperit tyres in Ballyfermot and the US owned Tambrands Ireland in Tipperary.
Meanwhile, it was announced that UTV, the British independent TV company in Northern Ireland, is withdrawing from the TV3 consortium, set up to establish Ireland's first independent commercial television company next year.
UTV is believed to have had a 40 per cent holding, but more importantly it brought expertise to the project. However, Mr James Morris, chairman of the consortium, said the project was going ahead and was seeking a new investor.
Peng Xiju, or Precious Jade, is the first Chinese baby to be adopted by an Irish couple since the Supreme Court decision clearing the way for Chinese adoptions. Precious Jade will be known as Louise.
THURSDAY
There was some hope that a settlement might be found in the Aer Lingus dispute with its pilots with the news that the mediation services are likely to intervene.
The Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, described the sale of alcoholic fruit drinks as one of the greatest threats to young people.
Vatican sources confirmed that the resignation of the Archbishop of Armagh, Cardinal Cahal Daly, is imminent. Cardinal Daly has already served as cardinal for four years more than is normally allowed. Compulsory retirement from all church posts at aged 75 - bar that of the Pope - was introduced in 1967. Cardinal Daly will be 79 next month.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, warned people to be on their guard against those who expected that poverty could be tackled by punishing the poor. The existence of welfare fraud must not be used as an excuse to punish the poor.
The Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Richard Bruton, has intervened in an attempt to stop a row between Continental AG and the IDA over the disposal of the Semperit plant in Ballyfermot. Talks are to take place with the Cooper Tyre company of Ohio on the possibility of acquiring the plant. The Minister is to travel to the US next week for discussions.