2005 in Northern Ireland

none September 2020 February 2012 2005 The following details notable events from the year 2005 in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is a country of the United Kingdom in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Northern Ireland shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west. Incumbents First Minister - Suspended Deputy First Minister - Suspended Secretary of State - Paul Murphy (until 6 May), Peter Hain (from 6 May) Events 11 January – During a storm, a lorry was blown off the Foyle Bridge and fell 100ft onto mudflats, killing the driver.Bridge warning call after death https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/6169930.stm BBC News 22 January 2018 21 November 2006 30 January – Belfast man Robert McCartney was murdered outside a bar in the city by members of the Provisional IRA.Ten years on, still no justice for Robert McCartney https://www.newsletter.co.uk/news/crime/ten-years-on-still-no-justice-for-robert-mccartney-1-6551047 www.newsletter.co.uk 22 January 2018 en 2 February – The Provisional IRA issued a statement to the Republican newspaper An Phoblacht, withdrawing from its commitment to the decommissioning of weapons and other deals related to the Northern Ireland peace process.Melaugh Martin CAIN: Events: Peace: Irish Republican Army (IRA) statement in response to political developments following the 'Northern Bank robbery', (2 February 2005) http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/ira/ira020205.htm cain.ulst.ac.uk 22 January 2018 9 February – Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a public apology to the 11 members of the Conlon and McGuire families who were wrongly convicted for the Guildford and Woolwich IRA pub bombings of 1974 when seven people were killed. The surviving members of the families were released in 1989 when the scientific evidence against them was discredited.Blair apologises to Guildford Four family https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/feb/09/northernireland.devolution The Guardian 22 January 2018 9 February 2005 17 February – Several people were detained by Gardaí for suspected activities in relation to the Northern Bank robbery in Belfast in December 2004. £2.3 million sterling was seized in County Cork.Several arrested over Belfast bank robbery https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/feb/17/northernireland.ireland The Guardian 22 January 2018 17 February 2005 3 March – Sinn Féin suspended seven members over their alleged involvement in the murder of Belfast man Robert McCartney, who was stabbed to death following a row in a Belfast bar on 30 January.Chrisafis Angelique Sinn Féin suspends seven after bar murder https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/mar/04/northernireland.northernireland2 The Guardian 22 January 2018 4 March 2005 17 March – Saint Patrick's Day: The sisters and fiancée of murdered Belfast man Robert McCartney met United States President George W. Bush in the United States in their campaign for justice for the murder.Family encouraged by Bush talks https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4359491.stm BBC News 22 January 2018 17 March 2005 5 May – 2005 United Kingdom general election.UK General Election 2005: Results and statistics [Archive] http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge05/results.htm www.politicsresources.net 22 January 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20170504050945/http://www.politicsresources.net/area/uk/ge05/results.htm 4 May 2017 dead 7 May – Ulster Unionist Party leader David Trimble resigned the leadership after losing his seat in the general election.Trimble to announce resignation https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/may/07/election2005.uk3 The Guardian 22 January 2018 7 May 2005 May – The Police Service of Northern Ireland took delivery of its first helicopter, a Eurocopter EC 135.PSNI in the sky with helicopter https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4596489.stm BBC News 22 January 2018 31 May 2005 23 June – The IRA apologised unreservedly to the family of 14-year-old Kathleen Feeney, whom it shot dead in Derry in November 1973. The IRA had previously blamed the British Army for the killing, and murdered a British soldier in retaliation.Melaugh Martin CAIN: Events: Peace: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Statement on the Shooting of Kathleen Feeney on 14 November 1973, Quarry Street, Derry. 23 June 2005 http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/ira/ira230605.htm cain.ulst.ac.uk 22 January 2018 28 July – The Provisional IRA ended its armed campaign and ordered all its units to dump arms. The organisation also ordered its members not to engage in any other activities of any kind.Melaugh Martin CAIN: Events: Peace: Irish Republican Army (IRA) Statement on the Ending of the Armed Campaign, (28 July 2005) http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/ira/ira280705.htm cain.ulst.ac.uk 22 January 2018 2 August – The British Army began to dismantle the observation post on top of Divis Tower in Belfast.Army begins removing Divis post https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4738029.stm BBC News 22 January 2018 2 August 2005 7 September – At Windsor Park, Belfast, Northern Ireland beat England 1–0. It was the first time since 1927 that the team beat England at home.McCarra Kevin World Cup qualifying: Northern Ireland 1 - 0 England https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/sep/08/match.sport3 The Guardian 22 January 2018 8 September 2005 10 September – 2005 Belfast riots50 police officers injured in Belfast riots https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/sep/12/northernireland The Guardian 26 November 2020 en 12 September 2005 14 September – The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, announced that the government no longer recognised loyalist paramilitary group the Ulster Volunteer Force's ceasefire, due to the UVF's continuing feud with the Loyalist Volunteer Force, and recent violence against the police.What is the UVF? https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4244082.stm BBC News 22 January 2018 14 September 2005 September – Historical Enquiries Team, unit of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, was established to investigate the 3,269 unsolved murders committed during the Troubles (specifically between 1968 and 1998).Melaugh Martin CAIN: Abstracts of Organisations - 'H' http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/othelem/organ/horgan.htm cain.ulst.ac.uk 22 January 2018 20–22 November – The Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso paid a three-day visit, his second to Northern Ireland, with meetings on the theme of The Spiritual Dimension of Peace. He visited the Corrymeela Community in Ballycastle, County Antrim, a peace and reconciliation centre, on the day of his arrival. He officially opened the headquarters of Mediation Northern Ireland in Belfast on the 21st, and attended the 2005 Way of Peace celebration in Saint Anne's Cathedral the next day. He last visited Northern Ireland in October 2000.Dalai Lama begins NI peace visit BBC News, 2005-11-20.His Holiness welcomed by Northern Ireland’s oldest peace movement Phayul.com, 2005-11-21. 24 November – Abbas Boutrab became the first non-republican or loyalist to be convicted in the diplock courts of Northern Ireland. He was convicted of having information that could be used to bomb an airliner.'Determined terrorist' convicted in Belfast https://www.irishtimes.com/news/determined-terrorist-convicted-in-belfast-1.1185286 The Irish Times 22 January 2018 3 December – Parliament Buildings hosted the funeral service for George Best. Approximately 25,000 people gathered in the grounds, with thousands more lining the cortege route.Final farewell to football legend https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4493898.stm BBC News 22 January 2018 3 December 2005 8 December – President Mary McAleese met Elizabeth II at Hillsborough Castle. It was the first time that the two heads of state met in Ireland.President & Queen in historic North meeting https://www.rte.ie/news/2005/1208/70618-mcaleesem/ RTÉ.ie 22 January 2018 en 8 December 2005 19 December – The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force, granting same-sex couples similar legal rights to those of married heterosexuals. The first civil partnership in the United Kingdom under the normal application of the new rules was registered at Belfast City Hall between Shannon Sickles and Grainne Close.'Gay weddings' first for Belfast https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4540226.stm BBC News 22 January 2018 19 December 2005 Arts and literature Nick Laird's poems To a Fault (January)To a Fault https://www.faber.co.uk/9780571223824-to-a-fault.html Public Store View 22 January 2018 en and novel Utterly Monkey (May) were published.Portrait: Nick Laird https://www.theguardian.com/books/2005/may/03/fiction.zadiesmith The Guardian 22 January 2018 3 May 2005 Sport Football Football World Cup 2006 QualificationSteven Davis - FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifying - Northern Ireland http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/northern-ireland/steven-davis-10635/fifa-world-cup-2006-qualifying_a20662/ Sporting Heroes 23 January 2018 England 4–0 Northern Ireland (26 March) Poland 1–0 Northern Ireland (30 March) Northern Ireland 2–0 Azerbaijan (3 September) Northern Ireland 1–0 England (7 September) Northern Ireland 2–3 Wales (8 October) Austria 2–0 Northern Ireland (12 October) Northern Ireland failed to qualify Other international matches Northern Ireland 1–4 Germany (4 June)Northern Ireland 1-4 Germany https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4607207.stm BBC Sport 23 January 2018 4 June 2005 Northern Ireland 1–1 Portugal (15 November)N Ireland 1-1 Portugal https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/4431164.stm BBC Sport 23 January 2018 15 November 2005 Setanta Cup Winners: LinfieldSetanta Sports Cup: Linfield focused on trophy success https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21648335 BBC Sport 23 January 2018 3 March 2013 Irish League Winners: GlentoranGlentoran lift Irish League title https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/4498021.stm BBC Sport 23 January 2018 30 April 2005 Irish Cup Winners: Portadown 5–1 LarnePorts hammer Larne in cup decider https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/irish/4524949.stm BBC Sport 23 January 2018 7 May 2005 The IFA celebrated its 125th anniversary.About the IFA https://www.irishfa.com/irish-football-association/about-the-ifa IFA 23 January 2018 The UEFA under 19 European championship was hosted by Ireland, with the final won by France in Windsor Park on 29 July.Under-19 - France savour first triumph https://www.uefa.com/under19/history/season=2005/index.html#/ https://web.archive.org/web/20100224032613/http://www.uefa.com/under19/history/season=2005/index.html#/ dead 24 February 2010 UEFA 23 January 2018 en There was an all-Irish clash in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. Shelbourne defeated Glentoran 6–2 on aggregate.UEFA Champions League 2005/06 - History - Shelbourne-Glentoran – UEFA.com https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/025a-0eaa04b77437-bc8836bd451f-1000--shels-superior-in-irish-duel/ UEFA 23 January 2018 en Gaelic games Christy Ring Cup Final Westmeath 1–23 : 2–18 DownTroubled times for Down https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/troubled-times-for-down-1.480182 The Irish Times 23 January 2018 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Final Tyrone 1–16 : 2–10 KerryNolan Pat The 10 best football games of the millennium https://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/gaa/10-best-football-games-millennium-8730627 irishmirror 23 January 2018 29 August 2016 Ice hockey Belfast Giants ended the Elite Ice Hockey League season as runners-up to Coventry Blaze.PREVIOUS WINNERS http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/view/eliteicehockey/the-eihl/previous-winners www.eliteleague.co.uk 23 January 2018 en https://web.archive.org/web/20180131060155/http://eliteleague.co.uk/view/eliteicehockey/the-eihl/previous-winners 31 January 2018 dead Motorcycling 8 February – Robert Dunlop was the first person to be elected to the Irish Motorcycle Hall of Fame, and came back out of retirement.Robert Dunlop http://www.biker-gifts.co.uk/robert_dunlop.htm www.biker-gifts.co.uk 23 January 2018 Rugby union RBS Six Nations ChampionshipFLASHBACK: Review of the 2005 RBS 6 Nations https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/mobile/en/news/17412.php sixnationsrugby.com 22 January 2018 Ireland 28–17 Italy Ireland 40–13 Scotland Ireland 19–13 England Ireland 19–26 France Ireland 20–32 Wales Autumn Internationals Ireland 7–45 New ZealandRoad Rupert Bates at Lansdowne Irish routed by second string https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/ireland/2368159/Irish-routed-by-second-string.html The Telegraph 23 January 2018 13 November 2005 Ireland 14–30 AustraliaIrish Rugby http://irishrugby.ie/news/15174.php irishrugby.ie 23 January 2018 en Ireland 43–12 RomaniaPeters Keith Irish silver lining hides dark cloud https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/ireland/2368951/Irish-silver-lining-hides-dark-cloud.html The Telegraph 23 January 2018 28 November 2005 Deaths 31 January – Robert McCartney, victim of murder allegedly carried out by members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (born 1971). 28 April – Mickey Marley, street entertainerWhat the papers say https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/4496437.stm BBC News 23 January 2018 29 April 2005 13 August – Robbie Millar, chef and restaurateur (born 1967).Top chef in death crash https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/top-chef-in-death-crash-28247296.html BelfastTelegraph.co.uk 12 August 2005 23 January 2018 19 August – Mo Mowlam, 11th British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (born 1949)Langdon Julia Obituary: Mo Mowlam https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/19/obituaries.northernireland The Guardian 23 January 2018 19 August 2005 26 August – Gerry Fitt, founder of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (born 1926).McHardy Anne Obituary: Lord Fitt https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/26/obituaries.uk The Guardian 23 January 2018 26 August 2005 4 October – Jim Gray, former Ulster Defence Association leader in east Belfast (born 1958).McHardy Anne Obituary: Jim Gray https://www.theguardian.com/news/2005/oct/06/guardianobituaries.northernireland The Guardian 23 January 2018 6 October 2005 25 November – George Best, former Northern Ireland and Manchester United footballer (born 1946).Glanville Brian Doyle Paul George Best RIP https://www.theguardian.com/football/2005/nov/25/thefiver.sport The Guardian 23 January 2018 25 November 2005 19 December – Charles Brett, lawyer, journalist, author and founding member of the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society (born 1928).Sir Charles Brett https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-charles-brett-520623.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/sir-charles-brett-520623.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent 23 January 2018 24 December 2005 See also 2005 in England 2005 in Scotland 2005 in Wales References Category:2005 in Europe Category:2005 by country