The verdict indicates wrongdoing . . . The people of Ireland have been led a merry dance. Not all by accident. Irish national radio and television and elements of the Irish media, purporting to have superior swimming knowledge to the rest of us, have blissfully ignored the obvious and unpalatable in favour of the feelgood factor.
- Sean Gordon, the Irish Amateur Swimming Association's recording officer, on the Michelle de Bruin ban
Those evil terrorists gave just 20 minutes' warning for police to clear a busy shopping street packed with families and children enjoying a sunny day out - they have no respect for human life.
- The Northern Secretary, Mo Mowlam, on the Banbridge bomb
Even though we half-anticipated he would get early release, it did not soften the blow when it happened.
- Brian Goodman, whose son, Glen, was murdered by an IRA unit in 1992 of which newly-released Michael O'Brien was a member
It is my belief that if the IRA does not say the war is over, then the agreement is over. It is as simple as that.
- David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party
We are in no doubt the court will see fit to free her. We are certainly hoping the charges will be dropped before it comes to trial. We have just got to keep our fingers crossed.
- Cathy Moore, whose daughter, Elaine, faces bomb plot charges in Britain, asked about comments by Garda sources that she could face 20 years if convicted
Giving up's not that hard. It's staying gived up that's hard.
- Ex-Beatle Ringo Starr, free of drink and drugs for a decade, on kicking his three-pack-a-day cigarette habit
You eat it.
- Queen Mother to two-year-old well-wisher Nathaniel Hess after he handed her a half-eaten biscuit as a 98th birthday gift
Most human beings have a need for something more than just the tangible. People want to believe in something else - an alien or an angel.
- X-Files star David Duchovny
America is a strange country. Most pornographic films are made here, and yet you have the President of the United States on trial for having an affair. Incredible!
- French actress Catherine Deneuve
We Americans tend to be quite rumbustious. We're loud. I've noticed that here because you guys are so quiet.
- Joanne De Lach, an American tourist in Ireland
Except when you're in the pubs.
- Ms De Lach's daughter Robin
The French authorities are turning a complete blind eye and shipping the problem to Ireland. We are not running a taxi service for anyone.
- Irish Road Haulage Association president, John Guilfoyle, on the influx of stow-away asylum-seekers
We've had a problem with swimming and I certainly would have reservations about bringing the Tour here. From a drugs point of view, I would have to have very serious thoughts about inviting an event like that to Ireland until we are confident that it has cleaned up its act.
- The Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Dr McDaid, on the Tour de France
She was very flirty. You'd get the old under-the-eyes look which is, of course, very flattering. The thought it might all be worth a treasonable offence came into your mind. Then you saw her being flirty to someone else even more hideous looking than yourself.
- Bob Geldof, on Diana, Princess of Wales