Saturday/Sunday
IT EMERGED that the gang which stole Pounds 100,000 in Waterford on Saturday broke into the depot while it was unoccupied and waited for the cash to arrive. The Waterford operation was similar to two previous robberies from cash depots.
The Minister for Social Welfare, Mr De Rossa, tried to calm inter party dissension in the Government about the unemployment proposals in the Budget. Democratic Left would achieve some of what it wanted in the Budget, just as Fine Gael and Labour would, he said.
Princess Anne met disabled youngster at a riding school in Newcastle, Co Dublin, as part of her two day visit to Ireland. She also met students with learning difficulties and members of victim support. The princess attended the rugby international, which Ireland lost to Scotland by 16 points to 10.
Telecom Eireann has won a major contract with British Telecom for installation and repair services. The company also plans to develop its high capacity lines, or broadband, for the "information super highway".
Monday
The deputy general secretary of the Garda Representative Association, Mr P.J. Stone, said cutbacks in Garda overtime had facilitated the Waterford robbery. He also said only a single armed garda had been available in the city at the time. The Garda Commissioner, Mr Patrick Culligan, apologised to the Minister for Justice, Ms Owen, for what Mr Stone said in relation to her.
The report from the international body on decommissioning, led by Senator George Mitchell, was given to the Irish and British governments. It recommended that there should be no precondition to all party talks.
An RTE television documentary that revealed the existence of a mass grave in Bosnia three years ago was passed to the UN War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
The Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Donald Caird, is to retire from full time ministry on Easter Monday. He is aged 70 and the longest serving Church of Ireland bishop.
Tuesday
The central plank of the Budget included a number of schemes tailored to take an extra 18,000 off the dole queue. The Minister for Finance told the Dail in his Budget speech that his aim was to reward work, promote enterprise and strengthen social solidarity.
The Minister gave some Pounds 247 million in tax, PRSI and social welfare concessions and took an extra Pounds 40 million in revenue, mainly on cigarettes and petrol.
Mortgage interest relief is to be reduced, and Pounds 500,000 was provided for increased allowances for TDs and senators.
Ms Owen blamed Securicor for the Waterford cash depot raid. She said questions must be asked about the internal arrangements of the company, which should "smarten up its activities." Garda sources reported that Securicor was told on three occasions that its security arrangements in Waterford were not adequate.
Lady Fitt, the wife of Gerry Fitt, one of the founders of the SDLP, died at her home in Kent.
Two elderly farmers were murdered in Kerry and Galway. One of the men was found with his hands and legs tied. The other body was discovered in a 15 feet well.
Wednesday
The International Body on Decommissioning released its report with a Belfast press conference. The British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, responds in the Commons by proposing an election in Northern Ireland as an alternative to an arms decommissioning gesture.
The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, voiced misgivings about Mr Major's plans for early elections in Northern Ireland.
The Mitchell report accepts that arms decommissioning will not take place before all party negotiations.
Mr Major's reaction was interpreted by the Government and the SDLP as a setback for the peace process. Mr Major clashed with the SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, in the Commons.
A third murder, that of Mrs Joyce Quinn in Kildare, was reported. Gardai confirmed the two elderly farmers were murdered. They were: Mr Patrick Daly, a retired farmer from Kilcummin, Co Kerry, and Mr Tommy Casey, of Oranmore, Co Galway.
Thursday
The controversy surrounding the announcement of an election in Northern Ireland continued, with reports of a serious rift between the British and Irish governments.
The text of Mr Major's statement offering elections as the alternative to an arms decommissioning gesture was reportedly not sent to the Government until about 30 minutes before he delivered it in the Commons. Efforts by Irish officials to change it at that stage failed.
The woman who died in Co Kildare was stabbed, a post mortem revealed.
With three murder investigations being conducted, Ms Owen revived her idea of a constitutional referendum on the bail laws and acknowledged that extra prison space is needed.
Party whips decided not to allow TDs and senators to take part in a "State of the Nation" debate on RTE's Late Late Show.