Ireland in 2008

Bertie Ahern at the Easter Rising commemoration Gerry Adams carries the coffin of Brendan Hughes Ian Paisley Brendan Duddy

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Table of Contents

Northern Ireland: January
Northern Ireland: February
Northern Ireland: March
Northern Ireland: April
Northern Ireland: May
Republic of Ireland: January
Republic of Ireland: February
Republic of Ireland: March
Republic of Ireland: April
Republic of Ireland: May



Northern Ireland: January

Police ineffective over Orange Hall attacks, Jan 2nd BBC
Road deaths lowest in fifty years, Jan 3rd BBC
DUP wants devolution of justice, Jan 5th BBC
Troubles enough (plans to rename the conflict), Jan 8th Guardian
Anger at idea that Troubles was a 'war', Jan 9th BBC
Brown challenged over NI 'war', Jan 9th BBC
Children live in 'severe poverty', Jan 9th BBC
Sharp drop in First Year students, Jan 10th BBC
Secretary of State 'still has a big part to play', Jan 12th BBC
Law and order Belfast style as two men are forced on a 'walk of shame', Jan 13th Guardian
Omagh widower calls Flanagan in civil action, Jan 13th Guardian
Anger at 'sectarian' Irish remark (by DUP member), Jan 14th BBC
Paisley under fresh pressure over Causeway plan, Jan 16th Belfast Telegraph
Paisley Junior admits he made a mistake, Jan 16th BBC
NI ombudsman extends Omagh inquiry, Jan 17th RTÉ
Street-smart Paisley says goodbye, Jan 21st BBC
Guide hails new-look Belfast, Jan 22nd BBC
Flanagan apology to bomb victims, Jan 23rd BBC
Vandals set fire to tourist bus, Jan 23rd BBC
Real IRA suspect arrested in Lithuanian arms sting, Jan 24th Guardian
1,200 leads in Quinn murder probe, Jan 24th BBC
Troubles group ends consultation, Jan 25th BBC
Ulster midwives may refuse to carry out emergency abortions, Jan 28th Guardian
Witnesses due at Wright inquiry, Jan 28th BBC
Four NI victims' commissioners appointed, Jan 29th RTÉ
SDLP move 'devoid of principle', Jan 29th BBC
Victims attend collusion debate, Jan 30th BBC
No concern over (term) 'IRA volunteer', Jan 30th BBC
Murder witness gets IRA threat, Jan 30th BBC
IRA threat to key witness denied, Jan 30th BBC
Sisters plan civil case of Belfast murder (Robert McCartney), Jan 31st Guardian
Maze attacker is arrested in Texas, Jan 31st BBC
Ministers vote in UDA fund case, Jan 31st BBC
Police warn over firebomb attacks, Jan 31st BBC

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Northern Ireland: February

Staying together for the sake of Northern Ireland (Paisley, McGuinness), Feb 1st Guardian
Ahern visits Paisley's constituency, Feb 1st RTÉ
Ahern visit is new dawn - Paisley, Feb 1st BBC
Protestant victim to address Sinn Féin, Feb 3rd Guardian
Ahern-Brown talks to focus on NI progress, Feb 5th RTÉ
Dissidents 'inept but dangerous', Feb 6th BBC
Checkpoints return to Ulster amid bomb attack fears, Feb 7th Guardian
Arrests made in dissident probe, Feb 7th BBC
Quinn murder test for NI peace, Feb 7th BBC
Q&A: Bloody Sunday, Feb 8th BBC
Adams says driver not under threat, Feb 9th RTÉ
Leaders urge last devolution step, Feb 10th BBC
Assembly to discuss Quinn murder, Feb 12th BBC
Research finds twice poverty rate (to rest of UK), Feb 12th BBC
NI schools to receive record funding, Feb 13th Guardian
Probe into fatal border shooting, Feb 13th BBC
McGuinness slams alcohol in soaps, Feb 14th BBC
McGuinness criticises TV drunkenness, Feb 14th RTÉ
Member of Real IRA found shot dead in churchyard, Feb 14th Guardian
Killers (of Andrew Burns) 'have no regard for law', Feb 14th BBC
Killers (of Andrew Burns) were 'devoid of morals', Feb 15th BBC
Greens call on Paisley Junior to go, Feb 16th BBC
Troubles 'not war' motion passed, Feb 18th BBC
Paisley Junior resigns as minister, Feb 18th BBC
The Troubles won't be over until these killings stop, Feb 19th Guardian
Assembly backs IRA murder motion, Feb 19th BBC
Funeral for IRA hunger striker, Feb 19th BBC
Complaint over Paisley employment, Feb 21st BBC
Paisley to bow out of politics after pressure from party, Feb 21st Guardian
Paisley 'family brand not hurt', Feb 21st BBC
Two arrested over (Andrew) Burns murder, Feb 22nd BBC
Troubles group meets MI5's chief, Feb 22nd BBC
IRA rules out meeting with group, Feb 25th BBC
Plans for East Belfast regeneration, Feb 25th RTÉ
Agony of family of Andrew Burns, Feb 26th Derry Journal
Unity, Equality, Prosperity Top (at Sinn Féin conference), Feb 28th An Phoblacht
Paisley Junior back on policing body, Feb 29th BBC

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Northern Ireland: March

Victim's father at Sinn Féin conference, March 1st BBC
Adams critical of Lisbon negotiations, March 1st RTÉ
Paisley blocks power transfer, March 2nd Guardian
West Belfast MP says Sinn Féin leader is 'delusional', March 2nd Irish Independent
Paisley to step down as NI First Minister, March 4th RTÉ
Paisley to quit as First Minister, March 4th BBC
In quotes: Paisley to step down, March 4th BBC
Paisley to quit as First Minister and DUP leader, March 5th Guardian
Peter Robinson set to replace Paisley as DUP leader, March 5th Guardian
End of an era as Paisley quits NI politics, March 5th CNN
Reaction to the resignation of Ian Paisley, March 5th BBC
Paisley's enemies, old and new, give their verdict, March 5th Belfast Telegraph
A fascinating, gracious man (Adams' verdict on Paisley), March 6th Guardian
Paisley's departure leaves the clever modernisers in charge, March 6th Guardian
Look back in anger (article on Ian Paisley), March 6th Guardian
Omagh bomb memorial row resolved, March 6th BBC
Empey rejects closer ties to the DUP, March 6th BBC
Irish (language) should threaten no one, March 7th BBC
UDA says 'okay' to King William (mural), March 7th BBC
UUP will not be taken over - Empey, March 9th BBC
Media fooled by Sinn Féin's funeral 'body-snatching', March 9th Irish Independent
I did 'smash' Sinn Féin - Paisley, March 9th BBC
Adams and McGuinness to meet Taoiseach in Dublin, March 10th Irish Independent
The Lisbon Treaty is a bad deal for rural Ireland, March 11th Sinn Féin
Legal aid granted in Omagh case, March 13th BBC
Maze still divides in NI, March 14th Guardian
Two houses seized from cross-border smuggler, March 14th RTÉ
Paisley in St Patrick's Day call, March 15th BBC
IRA willing to disband army council, March 17th Guardian
Devolved policing crucial - Bush, March 17th BBC
RIR soldiers begin Afghanistan tour, March 17th BBC
Out of Trouble: how diplomacy brought peace to Northern Ireland, March 17th CNN
Anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, March 18th Guardian
Extent of secret links between IRA and government revealed, March 18th Guardian
Disobeyed orders and a dangerous message (IRA/government links), March 18th Guardian
Talking to the enemy: the secret intermediaries who contacted the IRA, March 18th Guardian
Queen and Duke in three day visit, March 18th BBC
Unveiling the secret peacemaker, March 19th BBC
McGuinness: There was no need for Bloody Sunday Inquiry, March 19th Guardian
Dramatic changes in NI policing, March 19th BBC
Sinn Féin would support tough policing, March 19th BBC
Minister denies DUP veto on Maze, March 19th BBC
President meets British Queen in Belfast, March 19th RTÉ
DUP seeks McAleese apology over Queen comments Irish Independent
IRA Easter message, March 20th An Phoblacht
Adams has failed his constituents says pro-Sinn Fein columnist, March 20th Guardian
Tributes to IRA bombing victims (Warrington), March 20th BBC
A decade on, how is the deal? (The Good Friday Agreement) March 20th BBC
Ex-POW (Frank McGreevy) killed by thugs, March 20th An Phoblacht
Two charged in money laundering inquiry, March 20th RTÉ
Éirígí: armed struggle is a tactic, not a policy, March 21st Slugger O'Toole
Funeral of former republican prisoner has taken place in Belfast, March 22nd Irish Independent
Blair's fears over IRA toppled UUP, March 23rd Guardian
SF refuses to welcome a visit by British Monarch, March 24th Belfast Telegraph
Petrol bomb arsenal seized, March 25th Belfast Telegraph
Former IRA leader set to join the District Policing Partnership, March 27th BBC
Brown attacked for ignoring Ulster in article, March 27th Guardian
What happened to the IRA? March 28th Time
Horror attack in Belfast after Old Firm game, March 30th Guardian
Match victim 'was in wrong place', March 31st BBC
What isn't being said (censorship by Sinn Féin), March 31st Guardian

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Northern Ireland: April

IRA killer given life in prison, April 1st BBC
Police check neo-Nazi link to Belfast attack, April 2nd Guardian
Orange Order unveils a new 'superhero', April 3rd BBC
Three freed in dissident inquiry, April 5th BBC
Ahern supports consent basis for NI status, April 6th RTÉ
Omagh civil case 'unprecedented', April 7th BBC
Pensioners seek move after rioting, April 7th BBC
IRA will not police areas: Adams, April 8th BBC
Omagh bomb relatives launch action in High Court, April 8th Guardian
'Grinning man' left bomb in Omagh, April 9th BBC
Police officers tell court of warning calls confusion before Omagh bomb carnage, April 9th Guardian
Teenagers face eviction from home, April 9th BBC
'A consensus on crowing', April 9th Guardian
Key players reunite for Good Friday Agreement anniversary, April 10th Guardian
US invests in Ulster future after old foes change tune, April 12th Guardian
US unveils NI investment package, April 12th BBC
Robinson to follow Paisley path, April 14th BBC
Policeman 'protected' IRA killer, April 15th BBC
(Rosemary) Nelson public inquiry set to open, April 15th BBC
New DUP supremo vows to take a fresh approach on Stormont, April 15th Belfast Telegraph
Inquiry into solicitor murder investigates state's role, April 16th Guardian
Robinson confirmed as DUP leader, April 17th BBC
Row in Coleraine about Cromwell's legacy, April 18th BBC
SF, PSNI meeting 'constructive', April 18th BBC
Adams and Orde to discuss West Belfast crime wave, April 18th Belfast Telegraph
Bomb attack 'racially motivated', April 20th BBC
Victims bill changes 'are agreed', April 22nd BBC
Consumers face 30% gas rate hike, April 23rd BBC
Scappaticci wins newspaper case, April 25th BBC
Row over 11-plus may bring coalition crashing down, April 25th Guardian
IRA murderer's licence is revoked, April 29th BBC
Conflict over for good - Ahern, April 30th BBC
Smoking ban has closed 100 pubs, April 30th BBC

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Northern Ireland: May

Dissident group blamed for murder of Andrew Burns, May 1st BBC
Group clears IRA of Quinn murder, May 1st BBC
Family deny son's dissident link, May 2nd BBC
Art experts aid Stone defence, May 2nd BBC
Despite peace, Belfast walls are growing in size and number, May 4th Washington Post
Blaze destroys buildings at Belfast school, May 4th RTÉ
Call for taxi attackers to stop, May 5th BBC
Boy (14) feared drowned as body recovered, May 5th Irish Independent
PMs attend NI investment event, May 8th BBC
Take down peace walls: New York mayor, May 8th BBC
Home repossessions up 30%, May 9th BBC
Fire crews attacked five times, May 10th BBC
Firebomb 'could have cost lives', May 10th BBC
Terror warning as firebomb is found in Cookston toy store, May 11th Guardian
Anger as new film of IRA hero Bobby Sands films at Cannes, May 11th Guardian
Loyalist Stone due in Crown Court, May 12th BBC
Omagh civil case moves to Dublin, May 12th BBC
Three on trial for McCartney murder, May 12th RTÉ
Officer hurt by booby-trap bomb, May 13th BBC
McGuinness visits injured officer, May 13th BBC
Thousands due at Balmoral show, May 14th BBC
Ruane's plans [on education] 'need DUP's support', May 15th BBC
PSNI planning three base closures, May 15th BBC
Unionist ceasefire holds but guns remain, May 16th Guardian
[Rosemary] Nelson inquiry disc goes missing, May 16th BBC
Mole who infiltrated IRA attacks biopic, May 16th Guardian
Dunlop son takes part in NW races, May 17th BBC

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Republic of Ireland: January

Family of young chess champion Philip praised as he is laid to rest, Jan 6th Irish Independent
Cowen blamed as recession looms, Jan 6th Irish Independent
Probe into Irish binge drinking, Jan 9th BBC
New figures show drop in crime rate, Jan 10th Bray People
Worst flooding in decades after river breaks banks, Jan 11th Irish Indepedent
Man charged over sword attack on Dublin pub, Jan 15th Belfast Telegraph
Irish economy ranked as third most free in the world, Jan 16th Irish Independent
Strike action for (British) embassy staff, Jan 23rd BBC
'Viper' (Martin Foley) gunned down at gym, Jan 27th Guardian
Irish economy particularly vulnerable to US recession, Jan 31st Irish Independent
Labour welcomes full-time gangland crime unit, Jan 31st Irish Independent

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Republic of Ireland: February

SF President says government has failed on economy, Feb 2nd Irish Independent
Two men charged in connection over 1m Euro drugs seizure in Dublin Belfast Telegraph
IRA Garda killer freed from jail, Feb 4th BBC
Hearing over abuse files delayed, Feb 4th BBC
Blair and Ahern 'to get doctorates', Feb 5th BBC
Airline criticised over Irish (language) ban, Feb 5th BBC
Ministers attend Dublin meeting, Feb 14th BBC
Former Unionist joins Fianna Fáil, Feb 22nd RTÉ
Fianna Fáil confirms UUP recruit, Feb 23rd BBC
Two Polish men seriously injured in Dublin stabbing, Feb 24th Irish Independent
'Golden clerics' celebrate Father Ted, Feb 25th BBC
President mindful of the past and future, Feb 26th Irish Independent
Neighbourhood in shock after brutal assault on builders, Feb 26th Irish Independent
Teenager held over Drimnagh murder, Feb 27th Irish Times
Second Polish man dies after Dublin screwdriver attack, Feb 28th Irish Independent

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Republic of Ireland: March

Girl arrested in connection with Drimnagh murders, March 3rd Belfast Telegraph
Garda ombudsman probes child-death road incident, March 9th Irish Independent
Limerick has highest levels of killings and gun crime, March 11th Irish Independent
Roof won't cave in over housing slump, March 12th Irish Independent
ESRI issues bleak economic statement for 2008, March 14th Irish Independent
Ireland urges St Patrick style 'craic-down', March 17th CNN
Savage thugs brutally beat Polish man, March 19th Kerryman
Labour: Ahern must resign after latest revelations, March 20th Irish Independent
Traffic congestion costs economy millions of Euro, March 22nd Irish Independent
President McAleese to lead Irish Rising commemoration, March 23rd Irish Independent
Thousands mark Easter Rising anniversary, March 23rd BBC
Violent boys and girls lead crimewave, March 23rd Irish Independent
Bertie to honour Blair at dinner at Dublin Castle, March 25th Irish Independent
Suspected INLA pipe bomb brings terror to families, March 26th Irish Independent
The tearful secretary and the cash scandal that could bring down Ahern, March 29th Belfast Telegraph
Man, 30, with 'serious' grudge is arrested in double murder case, March 30th Irish Independent

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Republic of Ireland: April

Bertie Ahern to leave office on 6th May, April 2nd RTÉ
Taoiseach 'confident he will be exonerated of any wrongdoing', April 2nd Irish Independent
Irish prime minister Ahern resigns amidst financial controversy, April 2nd Guardian
Bertie Ahern's resignation statement in full, April 2nd Guardian
A statesman forced out by local issues, April 2nd Guardian
Ahern to resign as Irish premier, April 2nd BBC
Ex-Garda lifts lid on decades of child abuse in Gaeltacht, April 3rd Irish Independent
Cowen to succeed Ahern as leader, April 5th BBC
Cowen bounce 'won't last long' - Labour and FG, April 7th Irish Independent
Lehan says Limerick killings 'deplorable', April 8th RTÉ
Cowen 'excited but daunted' by new post, April 9th RTÉ
State stops probe into judge's Irish language skills, April 9th Irish Independent
Bloodbath fears as feud tears gang apart, April 9th Irish Independent
Can Cowen save us from Bertienomics? April 10th Irish Independent
Taser used in first Irish arrest, April 11th BBC
Former President Hillery dies at 84, April 13th Guardian
Gormley refuses to apologise for China criticism, April 14th Irish Independent
New era begins as leaders seal deal, April 15th Irish Independent
Hillery laid to rest after state funeral, April 16th RTÉ
Government resorts to trickery to railroad Lisbon Treaty, April 17th An Phoblacht
Fianna Fáil and SDLP good friends, April 18th BBC
Victim is shot dead in packed bar, April 19th BBC
Farmers threaten to torpedo treaty over trade deal fears, April 20th Irish Independent
TD apologises over letter in rape case, April 21st Irish Independent
Wrong kidney removed from child, April 21st BBC
Man hurt in Limerick city shooting, April 23rd RTÉ
Pipe bomb explodes under car in Dublin, April 26th RTÉ
Wexford family death treated as suspicious, April 26th RTÉ
Student finds new shrew species in Ireland, April 28th RTÉ
Man dies after chemical explosion, April 28th BBC
Only 5% understand Lisbon Treaty, survey, April 28th RTÉ
Galway flight makes emergency landing, April 29th RTÉ
County Wexford couple both died of gunshot wounds, April 29th Belfast Telegraph
Ahern to put peace at heart of historic US speech, April 30th Irish Independent
Number of old people to triple by 2041 - CSO, April 30th RTÉ

Republic of Ireland: May

Lisbon a bad deal for everyone, says Adams, May 1st RTÉ
Defend workers' rights: vote no to Lisbon, May 1st An Phoblacht
Hundreds attend Flood family funeral, May 2nd RTÉ
Alliance launches Treaty Yes campaign, May 2nd RTÉ
Is this man Veronica Guerin's killer? May 2nd BBC
Taoiseach warns of 'greatest act of lunacy' if Treaty rejected, May 3rd Irish Independent
Ahern expects no further revelations at Mahon, May 4th RTÉ
Exporters say No vote would spell disaster, May 5th Irish Independent
Queen visit 'may depend on IRA', May 6th BBC
Ahern meets Paisley on final day, May 6th BBC
Ahern tenders resignation as Taoiseach, May 6th RTÉ
Ahern observes history on last day as PM, May 7th Guardian
Cowen is confirmed as Taoiseach, May 7th BBC
Donegal TD takes on Tánaiste role, May 8th BBC
Drugs, firearms and cash seized in Limerick May 8th RTÉ
Legacy of Ahern is just one of denial, May 9th Belfast Telegraph
Writer Nuala O'Faolain has died, May 10th RTÉ
Murderer [of Meg Walsh] may never be caught, May 10th Irish Independent
Pride in heart of Cowen country, May 11th Irish Independent
Pilot dies as plane plunges into field, May 12th Irish Independent
Cowen insists 'Lisbon will not cause us nightmares', May 12th Irish Independent
Irish Referendum voices, May 12th BBC
Cowen to kick out FF Treaty 'rebels', May 13th Irish Independent
Omagh: spy lured terror boss into view of Gardai, May 13th RTÉ
Gardai to step up excavation in search for body [of Fiona Pender], May 14th Irish Independent
Thugs target couple in racist attack, May 15th Irish Independent
Sinn Féin campaign: rural Ireland deserves better, May 15th Waterford Today
Post shows boost for FF, government, May 16th RTÉ
Cowen puts €38,000 pay hike on the line, May 17th Irish Independent



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