Ultimately, they will also die and will have to stand before the Lord in judgment. Ciaran's blood, lying on the ground outside the bus depot, will cry for justice.

- Father John O'Sullivan at the funeral of Ciaran Heffron (22), who was murdered in a sectarian attack in Co Antrim last week

When he says No, he means no future. He has no alternative and no answers.

- UDP leader, Gary McMichael, on the Rev Ian Paisley

We had so many other things on the agenda that we forgot about the victims, who in a sense were yesterday's news.

- British-appointed victims' commissioner, Sir Kenneth Bloomfield, to relatives of the victims of the 1974 Dublin bombings

Its constitutional future, whatever about its past, will rest and rely entirely and exclusively upon the principle of consent. The British government are effectively out of the equation.

- The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on the North

Most unionists will remember Mr Patten as he stood lowering the Union Jack on Hong Kong, and what we find in Northern Ireland is that the British government are slowly but surely lowering the Union Jack.

- UUP dissident, Willie Thompson MP, on Chris Patten's confirmation that he will chair the commission on policing if the NI accord is accepted

The only prize I want is peace.

- SDLP leader John Hume, on news that he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace prize

What kind of society have we that a man can chase a terrified, screaming child down an open road like Dillon's Cross and not be stopped by passers-by?

- Cork Rape Crisis Centre director, Mary Crilly, on the eight-year-old Cork rape victim

He was a strong guy and a sexy man, but he was sensitive, too. It stirred up a lot of feelings when Liam Gallagher called him a "has-been"

- Former Neighbours star Jason Donovan, on Michael Hutchence

There's no aggressive streak in me. It takes more of a man to walk away from a violent situation, and I was brought up to believe that a good runner beats a good fighter.

- Soldier Soldier star, Rob- son Green

We lose our freedom in our own countries and now we are going to lose it here in Ireland.

- Director of the Association of Refugees and Asylum- seekers in Ireland, Mohammed Haji, on Garda advice to asylum-seekers in inner-city areas of Dublin not to go out at night for their own safety

Tomorrow, unless the Government stops acting like a chorus of a Greek tragedy and starts performing like a Government that is capable of running the State, our society is going to be put in danger to an extent that is unimaginable.

- Liz McManus (DL), on yesterday's Garda action on pay

I am sorry for the hurt I have caused them all. I want them to know I deeply regret the hurt I caused them.

- Priest, Ivan Payne, apologises to his victims from the witness box

I am not certain how many whiskey experts were used by the laboratory, and, were this not the most serious challenge to my career and my credibility, it would be mildly amusing.

- Olympic swimmer Michelle de Bruin, on news that the sport's world governing body is to investigate allegations that she tampered with a urine sample

We rejoiced in her victories. We shared in her credit and we basked in the glory of her achievements. I think it would be wrong now at this stage to run for cover.

- Senator Labhras O Murchu on de Bruin