Jubilation in Wexford as hurlers win all Ireland

Saturday/Sunday

THERE was jubilation in Co Wexford when its hurling team beat Limerick in the All Ireland Final. "We're going to declare an independent republic," said manager Liam Griffin, after the 1-13 to 14 points victory. "I'm so happy that hurling is now back, rooted in Wexford."

Talks between the unions and management at Dunnes Stores, which seemed to be close to an agreement, broke down dramatically around noon on Sunday. By the afternoon the unions involved, Mandate, SIPTU and the Marine Port and General Workers' Union, announced that an all out strike already voted for would be going ahead the following morning.

The dispute at the grocery and clothes multiple, the second largest in the Republic, centres on a 3 per cent pay increase, the creation of full time jobs, and agreement on a method for dealing with future grievances. All the issues remain unresolved since the previous strike, when workers closed down the 73 outlets for three weeks in June and July last year.

Monday

The Dunnes Stores strike began with over 6,000 workers around the State staging an all out picket. Behind the scenes contacts took place between the two sides as the Dunnes board considered the agreement which the unions believe had been all but agreed on Sunday.

Lay offs in companies dependent on Dunnes Stores for their business began immediately. Traders in shopping centres where Dunnes is the anchor tenant also complained of loss of business. The Small Firms Association said those affected were losing £1 million a day, while observers said Dunnes was losing £2 million daily in turnover.

The Irish Times reported that the Director of Public Prosecutions had decided against prosecuting a journalist, Ms Mary Ellen Synon, for incitement to hatred for an article relating to the traveller community published in the Sunday Independent last January. The travellers' group, Pavee Point, said it was disappointed by the decision.

More than 800,000 first and second level schoolchildren returned to school after the summer holidays.

In Co Wexford they did so as the whole county continued to celebrate the All Ireland win. The team arrived back on their home turf to bonfires, cheering and singing.

Tuesday

A leading member of the INLA, Hugh Torney (41), was shot dead in Lurgan, Co Armagh. Torney was leaving a house where he had been hiding when he was shot in what was said by the RUC to be another murder in the ongoing internal INLA feud.

Torney himself is understood to have been involved in a number of feud related killings over the years, including that of Gino Gallagher last January, and Gerard Steenson, known as "Dr Death", who was murdered during a similar feud some years ago. In a reaction to the US missile attack on Iraq, the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, said the action was "unilateral" and taken without discussion with others. Mr Bruton voiced concern about "the potential risk to life of this intervention". The Department of Foreign Affairs expressed its "understanding" of the US action.

In the High Court, David Murphy, husband of murder victim Patricia Murphy, lost a challenge against his detention by gardai investigating the killing. Ms Murphy's body was found close to her home in Griffith Avenue, Dublin, in June. Mr Murphy has been arrested twice and questioned about the killing. He was released after the High Court hearing because the period during which he could be detained had expired.

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Connell, said proposals put forward by the Constitution Review Group for the funding of Catholic hospitals would lead to the imposition of "penal conditions" that would rapidly cause the hospitals' destruction.

Talks between unions and management at Dunnes Stores adjourned after five hours. Both sides said they would meet again.

Wednesday

The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Spring, said the tax cuts anticipated in the forthcoming Budget should favour middle income earners rather than high earners. Every family in the PAYE net should see a tangible improvement in its income, he said.

The talks in the Dunnes Stores dispute adjourned after only an hour, with the chief management negotiator, Mr Andrew Street, a director in the company, saying the talks had reached a critical stage. Both sides agreed they would meet again within 24 hours.

A rally held in support of loyalist Billy Wright, in Portadown, Co Armagh, was attended by thousands and addressed by the DUP MP, the Rev William McCrea. Mr Wright is defying a threat from the Combined Loyalist Military Command that he will be killed if he does not leave Northern Ireland. Mr Wright has criticised the loyalist ceasefire and the UDP and PUP, parties associated with the loyalist paramilitaries.

The Irish Times reported a homily by the outspoken priest, Father Padraig Standun, who said the Catholic Church would die if it did not allow women priests.

Thursday

A man was shot dead on Ellis Quay in Dublin at around 9.30 p.m. as he was about to drive into the car park of an apartment complex. The killers sped away on a motorcycle. The dead man, Michael Brady (38), had served a prison sentence for manslaughter.

Mr McCrea defended his appearance at the rally for Mr Wright by claiming that he was standing up for the principle of free speech. He was supported by party colleagues.

The Dunnes Stores dispute continued, as did the union management talks.