As the date of the Rising rapidly approached, this is what was happening behind the scenes 100 years ago this week

Ireland’s match-winner Jonathan Walters admitted Euro qualification proved the doubters wrong.

A free walking tour app of the key sites of the 1916 Easter Rising is set to be launched next April.

The prosecution counsel in the trial of a man accused of murdering two women 18 years ago has told the jury that if the accused is not guilty, there are a series of “truly amazing coincidences”.

A former Assistant Garda Commissioner has told a jury how a man who was first charged with the 1997 murder of one woman, but later had the charge withdrawn, could not have "more accurately described" the carving knife blades found at the scene.

The jury foreman in the trial of a man accused of murdering two women eighteen years ago, has been excused.

The prosecution has begun laying out its evidence in the trial of two women murdered in Dublin nearly 18 years ago.

A man has pleaded not guilty to murdering two women in sheltered accommodation in Grangegorman in Dublin, 18 years ago.

A man arrested in connection with a hit and run incident in Dublin has been released from custody.

Gardaí have arrested a man in connection with a hit-and-run in Dublin.

A 34-year-old man has been left in a critical condition following a hit and run in Dublin earlier today with Gardaí investigating whether he was deliberately targeted.

A 34-year-old man's in a critical condition in The Mater Hospital in Dublin following a hit-and-run.

The body of a woman has been found at a house in Clonliffe Road, in Dublin today.

The family of the late model Katy French say they have been left without a full picture of the events surrounding her death.

Two friends of the late model, Katy French have been given suspended sentences for facilitating a drug deal on the weekend the 24-year-old died.

Two people have pleaded guilty to drugs offences in connection with the death of model Katy French.

Kerry football pundit Pat Spillane has confirmed he was assaulted by a number of Donegal fans after he left Croke Park following Donegal’s All-Ireland semi-final victory over Cork two weeks ago.

A man who was renting an apartment to store heroin which he was selling on to street drug dealers has been jailed for five years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

A MAJOR garda investigation is under way after a bomb exploded under a jeep in Dublin’s north inner city.

The Army bomb disposal team has been called out to investigate three separate incidents in counties Dublin and Clare.

Gardaí are investigating after an explosion on the northside of Dublin city in the early hours of this morning.

Is it even possible some day the All-Ireland final might become a three-game series?

An 81-year-old priest named in the Murphy Report has today been jailed for two years for sexually abusing a girl 30 years ago.

THE GAA has asked patrons to buy tickets in advance of today’sAll-Ireland club finals to avoid possible queues.

DIE-HARD Cork fans issued a rousing rallying call to the Rebel army yesterday as they prepare to march on Croke Park.

A MAN and woman who face charges connected to the death of model Katy French have been sent forward for trial at the circuit court next month.

MEATH attacker Stephen Bray looks certain to miss tomorrow’s All-Ireland SFC quarter-final against Mayo, after his bid to have last weekend’s straight red card against Limerick rescinded was rejected by the GAA’s Central Hearings Committee.

Angry residents have held protests at Croke Park in Dublin over disruption caused by the U2 concerts at GAA headquarters.

Thousands of GAA fans were descending on Dublin today for the All-Ireland final between Kerry and Cork.

FAMILIES in up to 50 homes were evacuated yesterday morning when a hoax bomb was found attached to a car.

Gardaí in Dublin are renewing their appeal for witnesses to a shooting incident in Ballybough yesterday.

The GAA has confirmed that some tickets for the Dublin v Derry, Bank of Ireland football championship quarter-final at Croke Park tomorrow, have been returned from county sources.

A heroin addict who hailed a taxi outside a pharmacy while his accomplices were inside holding up staff with a barbecue fork has been given a suspended sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Tickets for Ireland’s historic clash with England in Croke Park on Saturday are being sold for more than €2,000 on eBay.

Final preparations are under way at Croke Park today before the Six Nations clash between Ireland and France.

Gardaí in Dublin are questioning two men in connection with the murder of a man in a gangland-style shooting on a busy street in the city during yesterday evening's rush hour.

A DUBLIN barman was gunned down last night in a slaying which had all the hallmarks of a contract killing.

The driver of a container with stolen cigarettes valued almost €2.5m is to carry out 120 hours community service in lieu of an 18-month prison sentence.

Motorists travelling across Dublin were today warned of traffic restrictions on the northside tomorrow as GAA championship matches take place in Croke Park.

TICKETS for tomorrow’s Bank of Ireland Ulster football championship final will be on sale in the Croke Park area today.