UUP accepts Mitchell as SF "repudiates" garda murder

Saturday/Sunday

AN intensive Garda hunt for the killers of Det Garda Jerry McCabe, shot dead on Friday, focused on members of the Munster unit of the IRA, many of whom were missing from their homes after the murder. A man reputed to be head of the unit was among five people held for questioning in Limerick.

A man shot dead in front of a group of children playing on a Belfast street was the fifth victim of the ongoing INLA feud. Mr Francis Shannon (23) was a member of the breakaway, or "GHQ", group.

The managing director of Bord na Mona, Dr Eddie O'Connor, said a Price Waterhouse report on his remuneration package was "fundamentally flawed."

Monday

The multi party talks at Stormont had a less than auspicious opening day with the Ulster Unionist, Democratic Unionist, and UK Unionist parties strongly objecting to the role of the former US Senator, Mr George Mitchell, and the Sinn Fein delegation being refused entry because the IRA had not resumed its ceasefire.

The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, and the British Prime Minister, Mr Major, addressed the opening session.

"This is a truly enormous opportunity", the Taoiseach said.

"History will not forgive us" if an agreement is not reached, Mr Major told the delegates.

Afterwards the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, took the chair while the dispute over Senator Mitchell's role continued.

Fruit of the Loom announced that 2,500 of its 3,000 workers in Derry and Donegal are to be put on a three day week from July to December, because of poor sales.

Tuesday

Government and opposition deputies condemned the ambivalence of Sinn Fein's "repudiation" of the murder of Det Garda McCabe. The Government insisted the party was facing "an acid test of their democratic credentials". Party representatives had refused to condemn the murder.

Late night meetings in Northern Ireland led to the Ulster Unionist Party agreeing to the appointment of Senator Mitchell to chair the multi party talks. Democratic Unionist and UK Unionist representatives stormed out of the chamber, protesting angrily at the deal. However, the leaders of both parties made it clear that they were not walking out permanently.

Under the deal, the rules and procedures which had been devised by the two governments will be discussed by the parties involved in the talks.

Mr Jeremiah Sheehy (35), of Abbey Park, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, was charged in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin with IRA membership and having a gun in Adare, Co Limerick, on Friday last. He was also charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life at Adare, Co Limerick, on the same date.

Wednesday

The Government announced plans to introduce the Divorce Bill in two weeks' time after the Supreme Court upheld the result of the referendum. The court unanimously rejected Mr Des Hanafin's petition to have it declared null and void, finding that he had failed to prove the Government's unconstitutional expenditure of public funds on seeking a Yes vote had materially affected the result.

Mr John Quinn (28), of Faha, Patrickswell, Co Limerick, was charged in the Special Criminal Court in Dublin with membership of the IRA on June 9th, and possession of ammunition at Patrickswell, Co Limerick, on June 6th.

Mr Quinn's barrister told the court she had received instructions that her client had received a number of injuries while in Henry Street Garda station, Limerick.

Gay Byrne told The Irish Times that it is "the end of The Gay Byrne Show as we know it", confirming that the long running radio show is to be radically changed in the autumn. The show will swap time slots with the Pat Kenny Show, play more music and have a new presenter on Mondays and Tuesdays, instead of Joe Duffy.

Thursday

The Government endorsed a statement from the Garda Commissioner, Mr Patrick Culligan, that there was "no doubt whatsoever" that the IRA had murdered Det Garda McCabe.

The Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, said he believed the IRA statement denying involvement. The murder was "completely and utterly wrong," he said, when asked if he would con Mr John Gorman, a member of the Ulster Unionist Party and a" Catholic, was nominated by the Northern Secretary, Sir Patrick Mayhew, as interim chairman of the Northern Ireland Forum.

The main unionist parties continued to quarrel over the UUP's acceptance of Senator Mitchell. The DUP and UK Unionists were accused by the UUP of making "factually inaccurate" statements.

The warmest weather so far this year arrived, with the highest temperature, 21 Celsius, being recorded at Shannon.