Underground Luas plan draws bitter criticism

Saturday/Sunday

Gardai rejected reports that they were fired on during the thwarted raid by six armed men on a security van in Ashford, Co Wicklow, on Friday. IRA dissidents claimed the man shot dead by gardai, Ronan Mac Lochlainn (28) as a member. Mr Mac Lochlainn's partner, Ms Grainne Gibson, called for a public inquiry into the incident and for an independent autopsy. A murder investigation began in Limerick following the death of a Georgina O'Donnell (21), after she was shot in the face in a nightclub in the city. The Irish Pensions Board recommended the Government pay an extra £23 a week to old-age pensioners. This would be an increase from the current 27 per cent of average national income to 34.5 per cent.

Overcrowding in Mountjoy Prison leads to drug-taking, violence, depression and the spread of infectious illnesses, according to a report from the visiting committee.

Monday

The Belfast marathon was rerouted after a mortar bomb attack on Grosvenor Road RUC station. No group admitted responsibility, but republican sources believed the Continuity IRA was involved.

The Nautical Institute expressed support for construction of the controversial Loran-C radio navigation mast in Co Clare. It said it was a vital component of safety at sea.

Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane received six Tony award nominations in New York, more than any other new Broadway play.

Ireland's Ken Doherty, the defending champion, was defeated 18 frames to 12 by John Higgins of Scotland in the final of the World Snooker Championships.

Tuesday

The Cabinet decided to put part of the Dublin light rail system, Luas, underground in the city centre. It agreed to proceed with an expanded first phase of the project, which would extend it to Connolly Station, Ballymun/Dublin Airport and Sandyford. Opposition parties denounced it as a shameful surrender to powerful vested interests. The plan was welcomed by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, IBEC and the Automobile Association.

Three masked raiders threatened an unarmed garda who confronted them during a bank robbery in Clonmel, Co Tipperary. Three Dublin men were later arrested in Fermoy, Co Cork.

The convicted murderer and former IRA activist turned informer, Sean O'Callaghan, told the High Court he falsely claimed to have murdered Corkman Sean Corcoran in 1985 in an effort to have the man's death investigated.

The four members of the Balcombe Street IRA gang were transferred to Portlaoise Prison after serving 22 years and five months in jail in England.

The unionist umbrella group opposed to the Belfast Agreement launched its campaign for a No vote.

The Republic of Ireland under16 soccer team qualified for the European Youths Championship final in Scotland after beating Portugal 2-0.

Wednesday

The Sinn Fein leadership announced its support for the Belfast Agreement, confirming it would recommend to the party's ardfheis tomorrow that members should vote Yes in the North and South. The leadership also said it would seek an amendment of the party's constitution so that Sinn Fein politicians could take their seats in a future Northern Ireland assembly.

The Labour TD, Mr Emmet Stagg, said his party would not enter coalition with Fianna Fail after the next general election if the main Government party continued to support the latest Luas plan. The Labour leadership distanced itself from the remarks.

Appeals were made in the Dail and Seanad to stop the deportation of a Burundian couple who say they fled racist and neo-Nazi harassment in Germany. The authorities have refused to consider their asylum application.

Gardai launched an investigation into the death of a widower, Mr Eddie Fitzmaurice (83), whose body was found in his home in Bellaghy, Co Sligo.

The head of Forbairt, Mr Dan Flinter, was appointed chief executive-designate of the new superagency, Enterprise Ireland.

Thursday

The Criminal Assets Bureau obtained a High Court judgment requiring a convicted Dublin heroin dealer to pay £273,730 in unpaid taxes dating back 20 years. Tony Felloni (53) is serving a 20year sentence in Portlaoise Prison.

President Clinton confirmed he would not visit Northern Ireland during the referendum campaign. Instead he announced a package of aid measures.

IRA dissidents who resigned from the mainstream republican movement during the past seven months have regrouped and set up a new organisation which they are calling the IRA, The Irish Times revealed.

The Government announced it would spend £24 million implementing its Information Technology policy programme for schools before the end of the year.

Irish fashion legend Sybil Connolly died aged 77.