Thousands hold silent vigil to mark anniversary of Omagh bomb

Saturday/Sunday

Saturday/Sunday

Thousands gathered in Omagh and Buncrana to mark the first anniversary of the Omagh bombing. Silent vigils were kept at 3.10 p.m. throughout the country to commemorate the 29 people killed and 300 injured in the attack which caused the biggest loss of life of any incident in the North. Violence erupted in Derry and Belfast following Apprentice Boys parades through the Bogside and lower Ormeau Road.

Eight people died on the roads over the weekend including four 17-year-old friends whose car was in collision with another car carrying two women and five children in Co Donegal. A nine-year-old boy subsequently died from injuries.

The Northern Ireland politician, trade unionist and author, Mr Paddy Devlin, died in Belfast.

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The 10-day Kilkenny Arts Festival opened in the Market Yard. Celebrations received a kick-start on Sunday when the Kilkenny senior hurling team beat Clare in the All Ireland semi-final at Croke Park by 2-14 to 1-13.

A 35-year-old man, Mr Noel Heffernan, whose body was discovered in a disused shed near Dublin Airport, was most likely murdered by criminal associates, gardai believe.

Monday

A Newry businessman, Mr Richard McFerran, who lived in Dundalk, was found shot dead in his car outside his apartment. Gardai believe that Mr McFerran, who survived a previous attempt on his life, might have been shot because of a dispute in his personal life, rather than from a criminal or paramilitary motive.

Second-level schools with high numbers of early school-leavers are to benefit from an expansion of the £4.5 million Department of Education package announced in June by the Minister for Education, Mr Martin. The Minister's objective is to increase school completion to 90 per cent by next year.

Ms Emily O'Reilly, editor of In Dublin's sister publication, Magill, announced her resignation because of "issues arising out of the current controversy". The Censorship of Publications Board banned In Dublin on foot of a complaint that it contained indecent and obscene material.

There was an attack on a Monsanto GM field trial in east Cork.

Tuesday

The Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, announced an investigation into those who organise, control and profit from prostitution. Those who knowingly publish or distribute advertisements for brothels or prostitutes will also be prosecuted, he said.

The Northern Secretary, Dr Mo Mowlam, met the Sinn Fein chief negotiator, Mr Martin McGuinness, at Stormont. She is seeking further information from US and Irish authorities on the attempt to import arms from Florida and the recent murder in west Belfast of Mr Charles Bennett, before deciding if the IRA broke the ceasefire.

The Government published its White Paper on Rural Development. It set up a Cabinet sub-committee to examine each department's policies and to ensure that all spending complies with the Government strategy for rural development.

Employment Equality Agency figures show a significant increase in bullying and sexual harassment incidents in the workplace.

Wednesday

Some 64,000 students got their Leaving Certificate results, with a total of 77 achieving the maximum of 600 points in the Central Application Office's scheme for third-level colleges.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has decided to impose charges more frequently for Freedom of Information requests after half of the applications to the Department came from one person at a cost of more than £100,000. The man made almost 200 requests, 64 of which were dismissed as frivolous or vexatious. The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said her Department estimated the average cost of processing a request at £650.

Trintech, the software company, announced that it is to take a dual listing on the German and US stock markets next month, valuing its president, Mr Cyril McGuire, and his brother, John, at up to $100 million each.

One in five prisoners who inject drugs claim they took up the habit while in custody, according to a report published by the Department of Justice.

A total of 1,205 inmates in nine prisons were surveyed for the report, which found more than one-third suffer from hepatitis C. Infection levels are higher among women than men.

Thursday

The Government is preparing to impose a tax on the 1.2 billion plastic bags handed out free each year in shops and supermarkets. A consultancy study for the Department of the Environment recommends that a charge of more than 3p per bag be imposed either on individual users or on manufacturers.

The High Court lifted a six-month ban on In Dublin magazine pending the outcome of a full judicial review. Mr Justice O'Donovan directed that no advertisements for health clubs or escort agencies be carried in any future publication.

He criticised as reprehensible and incredible the way in which the Censorship of Publications Board had handled the banning in refusing to meet its publisher, Mr Mike Hogan, and in carrying on a correspondence about its future while having predetermined that it should be banned.