Saturday/Sunday
GARDAI, Customs officers and the Naval Service intercepted the largest consignment of cocaine ever seized in Ireland.
The drugs were found on a ship in Cork. Initially, it was thought the vessel carried 100 kilos of cocaine.
Four people were held, the first to be detained under new legislation which allows suspected drug traffickers to be kept in custody for up to seven days without charge.
Meath won its sixth All Ireland football final by one point, in a replay match marred by violence. Two players were sent off.
The US state Department hosted a conference in Dublin at which a delegate likened Ireland's position on neutrality to a "vegetarian cousin" at the family dinner table.
Ms Patricia Quinn, cultural director of Temple Bar Properties, was appointed director of the Arts Council.
The Church of Ireland Bishop of Tuam, the Right Rev John Neill, said many members found their church's association with events in Drumcree to be deeply embarrassing and offensive.
Monday
The Economic and Social Research Institute predicted strong economic growth - 6 per cent this year and 5 per cent next. Ireland was experiencing a retail boom with consumers spending more on everything from cars to holidays while savings were at an all time low, its quarterly report stated.
UDA prisoners withdrew their support for the loyalist ceasefire after a car bomb was discovered in Belfast city centre.
Dissident republicans claimed responsibility for the device.
An opinion poll in The Irish Times found Fianna Fail support among voters had declined. Its core vote is down by four points to 36 per cent.
The poll also showed 81 per cent of the sample favoured changes in the Constitution which would make it more difficult to get bail.
Tuesday
Unionists opposed suggestions by the British and Irish governments for a special committee to deal with weapons decommissioning.
A joint paper from the governments setting out a way to address decommissioning was circulated to all parties taking part in the multi party talks at Stormont.
Political and church leaders paid tribute to Cardinal Cahal Daly who retired. He called on the IRA to reinstate its ceasefire.
Loyalist prisoners had been taken for a ride by the British government which had promised them their freedom if they went along with the loyalist ceasefire, said the DUP leader, the Rev Ian Paisley.
Five people were charged in Cork in connection with the weekend's cocaine seizure.
Wednesday
Ms Brigid Ellen McCole died. She had contracted the hepatitis C virus through contaminated blood products and, shortly before her death, had reached a settlement with the Blood Transfusion Service Board.
Ms McCole, a mother of 12 from Donegal, was bringing the first test case to the High Court seeking compensation for the infection.
She was one of several women who opted for the High Court rather than the Government appointed Compensation Tribunal.
Official figures showed that for the first time in 30 years the Government's revenue from taxes exceeded its spending.
Borrowing for the year should be £400 million lower than forecast in the January budget. The Minister for Finance could have up to £300 million available for tax cuts before the next election.
The ICTU said it would seek significant tax reductions for the PAYE sector.
Gardai found 21 mortars, frames and mortar tubes during a planned Border search in north Louth.
The find was made on land owned by a Northern Ireland resident.
Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany addressed the Dail and held talks with the Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, as part of an official visit.
Thursday
The Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, confirmed to the Dail that the Blood Transfusion Service Board will admit liability in the case of Ms McCole and will apologise in the High Court to her family.
Public opinion forced the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, to ask Galway Corporation to consider new compromise plans to locate pipes connecting the Mutton Island sewage plant in Galway Bay underground without a causeway. Environmental concerns led to the EU Commission decision earlier this year to withhold funding for the £23 million scheme.
An Irish Times poll showed over 70 per cent of the population supports Ireland joining the European Economic and Monetary Union.
The funeral of the IRA suspect, Diarmuid O'Neill, took place in Timoleague, Co Cork. Mr O'Neill was shot dead by British police last Monday week during an explosives raid in London.
One of the State's most senior law officers called into question government proposals to tighten the bail laws. Mr Barry Galvin, State Solicitor for Cork, legal adviser to the Criminal Assets Bureau and, latterly, a temporary tax inspector for the purpose of issuing tax demands to organised criminals, said the proposed changes ignored habitual criminals like burglars and muggers. He urged the Minister for Justice to consider including them.