1984

President and Nancy Reagan come to Ireland on a four-day official visit. Thousands demonstrate against US foreign policy as the President addresses Dáil Éireann. The Colin McStay Appeal gets a huge response. £100,000 is the target sum: within a week, £200,000 is raised. Colin McStay travels to the United States. His operation is a success. Britain's coal industry grinds to a halt as miners fight cutbacks and pit closures. The New Ireland Forum report is published. At an Anglo-Irish summit six months later, the British Prime Minister is not impressed. Prisoner Nicky Kelly is freed on 'humanitarian grounds'. Campaigners claim he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. In Dublin, hard drugs like heroin become more easily available. Heroin devastates Dublin's inner-city communities. There are an estimated 4,500 users in the city. A 17 year-old Irishman dreams of soccer glory. Niall Quinn joins Arsenal as an apprentice. Despite a boycott by several Communist countries, the 1984 Olympic Games go ahead. John Treacy takes silver in the marathon. Music Television comes to Ireland with Vincent Hanley and 'MT USA'. PW Botha is South Africa's new President. Even though there are elections and a new constitution, black people still have no voting rights. A Dunnes Stores worker refuses to handle South African goods. When she is suspended, her colleagues go on strike. A chemical factory leak in Bhopal, India kills over 2,000 people. India also mourns a lost leader when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated. In the Philippines, an Irish missionary priest provokes the Marcos government by continually defending the rights of his parishioners. In an effort to suppress him, the authorities charge him with murder. After five months in custody, Fr Niall O'Brien is released. The IRA bomb a hotel at the Tory party conference in an attempt to assassinate most of the British cabinet. Four people die. Charles Mitchel, Telefis Éireann's first-ever newsreader retires. Ethiopia is stricken by famine and civil war. A BBC report provokes Bob Geldof into action. Playlist: Madonna: Holiday Wham!: Wake Me Up Before You Go Go Nik Kershaw: Wouldn't It Be Good Smiths: What Difference Does It Make Eurythmics: Here comes The Rain Again John Lennon: Nobody Told Me/Days Like These Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Two Tribes U2 : Pride (In The Name Of Love") Cyndi Lauper: Time After Time Tears for Fears: Shout Band Aid: Do They Know It's Christmas?