1995

IRELAND v ENGLAND, 15 February 1995: England supporters riot at Lansdowne Road. The match is abandoned. Fifty people are injured. France tests its nuclear weapons in the South Pacific. Despite local opposition and worldwide condemnation, President Chirac orders the nuclear tests. Ireland's Hepatitis C scandal goes back over eighteen years. Hundreds of people have been infected by contaminated blood products. Despite repeated warnings, health officials had failed to act. There is widespread anger at the conduct of State authorities. OKLAHOMA CITY, USA: A huge bomb blast destroys a government building. 168 people die. American right-wing extremists are found to be responsible. Ireland's Catholic clergy discuss recent crises and scandals. 1995 sees a bitter referendum campaign on divorce. The Church's influence on voters is seen as crucial. As polling day nears, the result becomes too close to call. Minister Michael Noonan attacks the 'No' campaigners. In the closest-ever referendum result, Ireland votes for divorce by 50.3%. There are workers' protests and sit-ins at 'The Irish Press'. The newspaper founded by Eamon de Valera closes down. Irish Press Newspapers has debts of £19 million. Prince Charles visits Ireland in June. Taoiseach John Bruton extends a royal welcome to the Prince. Dublin and Tyrone contest the All- Ireland Football Final. It is Dublin's first victory in twelve years. In hurling, Clare score their first victory in eighty-one years. Ireland's mobile telephone boom begins in 1995. The telephone market is opened up to competition. BOSNIA: After four years of failed peace plans and strategies, Western forces take decisive action. Airstrikes follow atrocities by Croats and Bosnian Serbs. Bosnian Serbs have also used UN soldiers as 'human shields'. Bosnia's three-sided civil war finally ends. Ireland hosts its third Eurovision in a row, presented by Mary Kennedy. Kildare's Fionnuala Sherry and 'Secret Garden' win for Norway. Drumcree: after a three-day stand-off between Orangemen and the RUC, an Orange parade is allowed to pass through a nationalist area. Although the marchers go down the Garvaghy Road in silence, there are triumphant celebrations in the centre of Portadown. Bill and Hillary Clinton come to Ireland at the end of the year. Following visits to Belfast and Derry, President and Mrs Clinton arrive in Dublin. An estimated 80,000 people greet the Clintons at College Green. After nine months on trial for murder, O.J. Simpson awaits the verdict. The murder victims' families are distraught at the outcome. Ireland v Holland, December 1995. A disappointing qualifying campaign for the European Finals ends in a play-off at Liverpool's Anfield stadium. After nine years, two World Cup Finals and one European Finals, Ireland says goodbye to Jack Charlton. Playlist: McAlmont and Butler - Yes Massive Attack - Protection Take That - Back For Good The Corrs - Runaway Bobby Brown - Two Can Play That Game Sinead O'Connor/ Shane McGowan - Haunted Boyzone - So Good Secret Garden - Nocturne Oasis - Wonderwall Blur - The Universal