1984

Ronald and Nancy Reagan visit Ireland amid protests against US policy. The Colin McStay Appeal surpasses its £100,000 goal, funding his successful surgery in the US. British miners strike against pit closures. The New Ireland Forum report fails to impress the UK Prime Minister. Nicky Kelly is freed on humanitarian grounds, though many see it as a miscarriage of justice. Heroin devastates Dublin’s inner-city. Niall Quinn joins Arsenal. Despite a Communist boycott, the 1984 Olympics proceed, with John Treacy winning silver. MTV arrives in Ireland. PW Botha becomes South Africa’s President, but black citizens remain disenfranchised. A Dunnes Stores worker sparks an anti-apartheid strike. The Bhopal disaster kills 2,000+. Indira Gandhi is assassinated. An Irish priest is imprisoned in the Philippines but later released. The IRA bombs a Tory conference hotel. Charles Mitchel retires. Ethiopia faces famine, and a BBC report inspires Bob Geldof to act.