Saturday/Sunday
THE threat of loyalist attacks on Dublin in retaliation for IRA bombs in London receded when loyalist paramilitary leaders said they were not calling off their ceasefire unless the IRA escalated its campaign and carried out attacks in Northern Ireland.
Gardai are to investigate allegations of past abuse of children at the Goldenbridge orphanage in Dublin, run by the Sisters of Mercy. The provincial of the congregation, Sister Helena O'Donoghue, was approached by hostile members of the audience on the Pat Kenny Show at RTE. RTE had screened a documentary on the orphanage last week.
Monday
Mr John Major's government was saved by the abstention of the DUP members in a crucial vote in the House of Commons on the Scott Report in the arms to Iraq affair.
British government sources indicated that they had refused a clandestine deal with the Ulster Unionist Party on the voting mechanism to be used in any election in Northern Ireland. The nine Ulster Unionists voted with Labour. Mr Major won by one vote.
The troubled Football Association of Ireland appointed an accountancy firm to investigate ticket transactions during the 1994 World Cup. This followed a statement from the treasurer, Mr Joe Delaney, that there was a shortfall of £110,000 arising from sales of tickets for the world cup.
The ISPCC called for mandatory reporting of child abuse. It also reported that its Childline service had logged over half a million calls in eight years, of which 70,000 related to child abuse.
The latest newspaper circulation figures, the first complete figures since the demise of the Irish Press group, showed all newspapers had increased sales.
Tuesday
A joint Irish Times/Guardian opinion poll indicated that the majority of people in the Republic, Northern Ireland and Britain believed the peace process could be revived, despite the IRA's London bombs.
It also showed strong support for renewed Anglo Irish efforts to reactivate the ceasefire and for a more flexible approach by the British Prime Minister to proposals being discussed by the two governments.
There was a massive security operation in Wexford as the body of the IRA member Edward O'Brien was brought home to Gorey for burial. His parents and local clergy warned the IRA to stay away.
A number of senior politicians called for the repeal of the Official Secrets Act. They included the chairman of the Committee on Legislation and Security, Mr Charles Flanagan.
Wednesday
The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister held a summit meeting in London. The two leaders set June 10th as the date for the start of all party talks. They told Sinn Fein that its participation would require a total and absolute commitment to democracy and non violence. Parties wishing to join in the talks would also have to address other confidence building measures, including decommissioning. The two leaders agreed that talks would be held with all parties to find agreement for an elective process.
Unionists were warned that they must provide reassurance to Sinn Fein and other parties that the process will be meaningful and inclusive.
The Bishop of Ferns, Dr Brendan Comiskey, said he had never obstructed any investigation into child sex abuse. He spoke at a wide ranging press conference, broadcast live on RTE radio, 12 days after his return from treatment for alcoholism in the US.
He also said that no diocesan funds under his care had gone missing. Six cases of clerical child sex abuse had come to his notice since becoming Bishop of Ferns. He admitted that he had failed to pass one of these on to the Garda.
In Gorey, at the funeral of Edward O'Brien, pall bearers wore white peace ribbons. A number of prominent republicans turned up, including the Brixton Prison escapers Nessan Quinlivan and Pearse McAuley.
Thursday
Mr Larry Goodman was accused by the Minister for Agriculture, Mr Yates, of being the major culprit in tarnishing the Irish beef industry. His company, Goodman International, challenged the Minister to repeat his accusations without the protection of Dail privilege.
In an outspoken attack on the largest beef processor in the State, the Minister said he would shed no tears if Mr Goodman withdrew from the industry. Goodman International said that the Minister should say outside the Dail precisely what he meant and that Mr Yates's comment were entirely at odds with the findings of the beef tribunal.
The Minister's attack on Mr Goodman reflects the unease in his Department that it will have to pay the bill of £93 million in EU fines arising directly from its stewardship of the EU beef policies in the late 1980s and 1990s.
The reinstatement of the IRA ceasefire is still in doubt.
A film of the life of Brendan Behan, starring Sean Penn, has been suspended following Penn's withdrawal from the project. Shooting was to begin next week. The film crew has been put on protective notice. The film was being funded by the Film Board and Section 35 investors.
Gardai are unlikely to press charges against a 76 year old nun at the centre of child abuse allegations in two orphanages.