Saturday/Sunday As students awaited their Leaving Certificate results, it was announced that a commission on the points system would start work next month to review the work of the 21-year-old procedure under which second-level students gain entry to universities and colleges.
A 24-year-old man was remanded in custody on charges relating to the murder of Ms Catherine Doyle (27) and her husband Carl (29), at their family home in Carane near Ballintubber, Co Roscommon, early on Saturday. The accused man, Mr Mark Nash, was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Ms Sarah Jane Doyle.
Tipperary beat Wexford in Croke Park and will now meet Clare in the All-Ireland hurling final. The game was played amid controversy about the new format for the hurling championships.
Monday
On the eve of the publication of the Leaving Certificate results, the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, said he wants the examination to be taken by at least 90 per cent of all 17 to 18-year-olds by the year 2000. In that age group, 84 per cent now take the examination.
Wexford County Council investigated a serious marine pollution incident at the holiday village of Cahore Point, six miles from Courtown Harbour. Notices were posted advising that it was unsafe to swim as a black substance seeped into the harbour from a major drainage canal.
The SDLP denied that the prospect of its leader, Mr John Hume, running for the Presidency had split the party. However, it was reported that there was resentment that the party is perceived as a one-man operation that could collapse if he became President.
A pregnant woman was stabbed in Dublin by a man on day release from prison. She was described as comfortable in hospital.
The unsettled weather has caused a late rush for sun holidays. Irish tour operators say they cannot meet the demand.
Tuesday
Students received their examination results and the Minister announced that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment is to be given statutory powers as an adviser to the Minister for Education. One of its tasks will be a radical re-evaluation of the Junior Certificate.
The Sunday Business Post was sold to the British newspaper publisher, Trinity International Holdings, for £5.55 million. Three executives, the editor, Mr Damien Kiberd, the chief executive, Ms Barbara Nugent, and the deputy editor, Ms Aileen O'Toole, who held 20.8 per cent of the company each, received more than £1 million.
The honorary secretary of Victim Support, Mr Derek Nally, announced his interest in running for President. Mr Nally is a former general secretary of the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors.
More controversy surrounded the swimmer, Michelle Smith de Bruin. After winning a gold medal at the European championships in Seville, she did not appear at the mandatory press conference following her victory.
Wednesday
Michelle Smith de Bruin was well on her way to making sporting history when she won her second gold medal.
The young Dublin couple murdered in Co Roscommon were buried in Mulhuddart.
Human rights groups have opposed plans by the group, Boyzone, to include Indonesia in a three-week tour of south-east Asia. News of the planned concert led some young fans to write to the band asking them not to play there. Indonesia invaded East Timor in 1975. More than 200,000 people have been killed since then.
Thursday
The Minister for the Marine, Dr Woods, announced details of an action plan on pollution prevention which will involve reviewing the penalties.
Hopes of Michelle Smith de Bruin winning a record five gold medals were dashed when she took silver in the 400 metres freestyle in Seville.
An independent body to oversee the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons is to be established shortly by the British and Irish governments.
Shares in UTV soared for the second time this week after the company signalled it would use part of its cash pile for a share buy-back or special dividend.
More buying brought the Scottish Media stake in UTV to 18 per cent. A fall in half-year profits in the company was also reported, down from £3.1 million sterling to £2.5 million sterling.