Revenue figures up as the rain comes down

Saturday/Sunday It Rained. The weekend was ruined for many people, particularly in the south and south-east, when the heavens opened, despite a forecast of a "balmy" Bank Holiday weekend by Met Eireann. A month's rain fell in just over 12 hours in parts of Munster, with twice the August average falling in Rosslare, Co Wexford. "It's disastrous," said a Met Eireann forecaster, "but August is like that. You can never trust a Bank Holiday weekend." At the World Athletics Championship in Athens, Sonia O'Sullivan looked as though she had put the disaster of the Atlanta Olympics behind her as she qualified comfortably for the final of the women's 1,500 metres.

As controversy continued over the previous government's handling of the hepatitis C crisis, Positive Action, which represents women infected with the virus, announced it was setting up its own public forum in the autumn.

Some 70 people on a flight from Manchester to Knock escaped serious injury when their aircraft crash landed at Manchester Airport on two sets of wheels.

There was a strong Masonic and Rotary Club tone at the funeral service of Cayman Islands banker, Mr John Furze (55), named in the Dunnes tribunal in connection with offshore bank accounts belonging to the former Taoiseach, Mr Haughey. Mr Furze died of a heart attack in Miami on Friday, July 25th.

Monday

It rained, mainly in Munster and south Leinster. The Fishguard/Rosslare ferry docked at Dublin after 20 hours at sea due to high winds. The journey normally takes three hours. "We only planned a day trip and it lived up to its name," said one passenger.

Houses, businesses and bars were under water in Limerick city and county, Blackwater, Co Wexford, Clonmel, other parts of Tipperary, and in Co Clare as rivers flooded their banks.

It was disclosed that the estates of deceased pensioners have been paying back an average of between £6,000 to £8,500 each to the State after it was discovered that 500 deceased people received overpayment in their non-contributory pensions. The over-payments were made when they were alive.

It was reported that the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, was considering standing for the Presidency.

Climber William Rattray (29), from Clogheen, Co Cork, was killed in a 400-metre fall on Mont Blanc.

Mr John Jones (40), the pilot who safely landed the plane at Manchester Airport was celebrated as a hero.

Mr Joe Mulholland, managing director of RTE television, said an increase in the TV licence fee was "absolutely necessary". He thought £10 more would be "desirable and helpful".

Tuesday

It rained. Clonmel was under water as the Suir kept rising. Kitty Kelly's, a partially submerged pub in the town's Old Bridge area, did brisk business as customers in boots savoured special "flood offer" pints at £1.50 each. The valleys of the Nore, Barrow, Slaney, and Blackwater, were also flooded. Counties Limerick, Waterford, Wexford, Clare and Galway reported roads made impassable by water. Farmers claim £14 million has been lost in destroyed harvests and blame Met Eireann

A 67-year-old farmer drowned in a field in Co Clare. It appeared he had abandoned his car on a flooded road and was walking along a wall when he fell into the field.

"Extremely buoyant" revenue figures for the first seven months of this year indicate a £1.1 billion increase in the tax take over the same period last year.

Mr Hume denied he was seriously considering running for the Presidency.

The former Minister for Health, Mr Michael Noonan, strongly defended his handling of the hepatitis C scandal.

Journalist Eamon Dunphy said he was sorry. He appeared before the High Court on an alleged contempt charge following a broadcast on Radio Ireland during the De Rossa libel action last week. The court accepted his "deepest regret".

Sonia O'Sullivan comes eighth in the women's 1,500 metres final in Athens.

The Dublin Horse Show opened at the RDS.

Counting began in the Seanad election.

Wednesday

It didn't rain as much. However, "(rainfall) records are being broken hour by hour", said one meteorologist. Clonmel began to emerge from the waters of the Suir. Similarly with Blackwater, Co Wexford.

The singer, Dana, announced she wanted to be President, to "give something back to the Irish people".

An Irish UN peacekeeper in the Lebanon was killed when a UN helicopter crashed. Sgt John Lynch (34), from Newbridge, Co Kildare, was with four Italian personnel, when the helicopter crashed when flying between two Irish observation posts.

Mr David Norris gained a "spectacular" victory in the first count of the Dublin University panel at the Seanad election count.

The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, and the Sinn Fein president, Mr Gerry Adams, met in Belfast for the first time.

Following a stroke and two heart operations among three of the four bishops who had been spokesmen for the Catholic Hierarchy since 1975, it was disclosed that a 50-year-old priest, Father Martin Clarke, is to be appointed to the post.

The United Nations' High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) called for the suspension of curbs on immigration introduced by the previous government. A couple from Carrigaline, Co Cork, win the £2,155,985 Lotto jackpot.

Thursday

A fair dry day with the sun making a brief appearance at the Dublin Horse Show.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Burke, released a strongly-worded statement attacking what he described as "a vicious campaign of rumour and innuendo" against him. It followed newspaper reports that he had received £80,000 in political contributions from a development company, which he denied. He said he had received £30,000 from the company, Bovale Developments Ltd, which was "totally unsolicited" and for which no favours were "sought or given".

Sonia O'Sullivan failed to qualify in the women's 5,000 metres semi-final in Athens.

The pro-life campaigner, Prof William Binchy, failed to secure a Seanad seat despite a good first count vote. However, Fianna Fail's Mr Des Hanafin was returned. He promised to fight to overturn the divorce referendum decision.

It was reported that gardai and immigration officials were checking all trains and buses entering the Republic from Northern Ireland for illegal immigrants.

Figures indicated that the cost of living has virtually stood still during the past 11 months, with 1.2 per cent inflation.