Dark Days

The North's violent past has once again come to the centre of media discourse as a result of a bomb attack that took place 20 years ago this week.

In October 1993 the Provisional IRA planted a bomb in a busy fish shop on Belfast's Shankill Road. The device exploded prematurely and ten people died including one of the IRA members responsible for the attack. On the 20th anniversary, relatives of the dead gathered with local residents and first responders in memory of the innocent who died.

On occasion violence from the North's violent conflict spilled over into the Republic. In May 1974 more than thirty civilians lost their lives in a coordinated loyalist no warning car bomb attack.

Rescuers searching for survivors of a 1974 bomb attack in Dublin

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Budget Fall Out

Last week's budget has seen the coalition government come in for a lot criticism, particularly in the area of health where cuts were considered particularly stringent.

One national newspaper reported that government ministers were 'fightling like cat and dog' in the wake of the budget with Health Minister James Reilly being particularly isolated.

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to resign.

Finance Minister Ray McSharry on Budget Day 1988

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Gilligan Free

Crime boss John Gilligan has been released from prison. Suspected by Gardai of having ordered the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, he was later acquitted. However he was convicted for involvement in the drugs trade and went on to spend a total of 17 years behind bars.

Gilligan arrived in Clondalkin, West Dublin, having being sped away from Portlaoise Prison. There, enjoying a beer, he maintained his innnocence and accused journalists of having blamed an innocent man.

Irish Cell block where Paul Singer was held after his arrest in 1959 for fraud. 

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McIlroy Putts them in the Dock

Golfer Rory McIlroy is embroiled in a legal battle with the Dublin company Horizon Sports Management and two other companies. The former World No 1 is trying to recover millions in fees he paid.

McIlroy claims he was exploited and misled.


The Belfast born golfer, whose first major was the US Open, expects the case to be heard later this month.

Irish Dunlop Golf Tournament at Tramore, Co. Waterford. J. Craddock, Foxrock, watches as his partner H.F. Boyle plays his second shot down the fairway in the second round. Boyle finished his first round in 66.

19.08.1967

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Hoping to Return to the Glory Days

Liverpool coach Brendan Rodgers is riding the crest of a wave at the moment. His side's strong start to the season holds out the potential for a top four finish that would allow the team to progress to European competition. Liverpool have been crowned champions of Europe on 5 separate occasions.

Rodgers credits much of the success to an inform Luis Suarez back in the side after suspension:

That attitude from Luis to demand the best is exactly what we want. We can't accept just winning and say it's all right.

Members of the 1978  Liverpool European Championship winning side meeting Taoiseach Jack Lynch on 2 August 1978.

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Wallop

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has described the referendum outcome as disappointing, stating that 'sometimes in politics you get a wallop in the electoral process.'

According to the Irish Independent the result has 'led to blame and recrimination within the Coalition, including ministers, who demanded answers as to why the vote was lost. '

The decision to retain the Seanad against the wishes of the government while based on a slender margin, was nowhere more felt in the capital, Dublin, where all 12 constituencies cast their vote against 

abolition.

Enda Kenny celebrating his election to Dail Eireann in 1975

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Seanad Retained

Ireland, or the largest part of it, has voted by referendum to retain the Seanad. It was a crushing blow to the governing coalition of Fine Gael and Labour which had campaigned for abolition. The main opposition party Fianna Fail which campaigned to retain the institution has emerged as the real victor. The junior opposition party, Sinn Fein, sided with the governing parties on the issue.

The government is now on the horns of a dilemma, seeking as it must to reform and keep in existence a Senead it believed had no function.

11 October 1983. For Irish senators enjoy a rare autumnal sun 

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