He controlled the Syrian people. We need control here in Syria - our people are uncontrollable.
- A Damascene woman of the late Syrian leader President Hafez al-Assad
If left untended, these will not automatically correct themselves but will corrode civil society, with no heroes left but the rich, the successful and the notorious.
- Dr Maureen Gaffney, chairwoman of the National Economic and Social Forum, on what she termed the growing distrust and materialism in society
When we first appeared, darkened faces, sweat and aggression, brandishing rifles, the crowd stopped . . . turned to face us and raised their hands. This is the way they were standing when they were shot.
- A British soldier in his testimony to the Bloody Sunday inquiry
I'm not going to be some kind of dancing monkey for you guys.
- O. J. Simpson, turning down an offer by TV network Fox to submit to a lie detector test during a confrontation with the sister of his murdered wife
The people of Tipperary, of Ireland and lovers of great musical talent around the world will sorely miss Frank's fantastic personality and generosity which, along with his acclaimed talent, made him one of Ireland's favourite sons.
- The President, Mrs McAleese, of Frank Patterson, who has died indefensible example of blatant political patronage and a major abuse of power.
- The Fine Gael spokesman on justice Mr Jim Higgins on the Government's appointment of Mr Hugh O'Flaherty to the European Investment Bank job
He seems to have tapped into something quite deep. If I was Denis Riordan, I'd run for election.
- RTE's Liveline presenter Joe Duffy on the "massive" public support Mr Riordan received through his legal challenge to Mr O'Flaherty's appointment
One would need to have been living on the moon not to know that the entire nation has been interested in this case.
- Mr Justice Morris, after he refused an application by the State that Mr Riordan pay the costs of its legal team
We had a great evening up to that. I don't feel anything bad about Ireland. They were just lads who were ignorant.
- Ms Laverne Richardson, wife of the Englishman, Mr David Richardson, who was stabbed repeatedly in Dublin last weekend
A slight on us all.
- The Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, of the attack on Mr Richardson
One way of putting manners on everybody there would be to increase the number of licences in the country and that is something the Government will have to face up to in future.
- The Minister for Finance, Mr McCreevy, in a warning to publicans over drink prices
We used to believe they were monsters in the north, now we have to believe they are part of us.
- A South Korean on the warming of relations between the two countries