2008_in_Ireland

2008 in Ireland

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2007
2006
2005
2004
2003

2008
in
Ireland

Decades:	1980s • 1990s • 2000s • 2010s
Centuries:	19th • 20th • 21st
See also:	2008 in Northern Ireland Other events of 2008 List of years in Ireland

Incumbents

January 1 - Philip Hogarty (aged 19) becomes the first road death on Irish roads in 2008 after being struck by a Garda patrol car in Tallaght. Philip was chairman of the Irish Chess Union.^[1]
January 2 - After 36 years in business, The Burlington Hotel in Dublin closes, with the loss of 400 jobs.^[2]
January 4 - An unforecasted blizzard hits the country, leading to the heaviest snowfall in Ireland since December 2000.
January 9 - After days of heavy rainfall in the South West serious flooding occurs in Fermoy and Mallow with parts of Mallow under 1.3 m of water.^[3]
January 13 - Following months of protest, Aer Lingus complete their last Shannon to Heathrow flight.
January 16 - Wayne O'Donoghue is released from prison after serving three years of a four year jail term for the manslaughter of Robert Holohan (aged 11) in January 2005.^[4]
January 21 - €4bn was wiped off the Irish Stock Exchange as the worlds stock markets slumped.
January 23 - The brother of a Real IRA leader is one of two Irish citizens arrested in Lithuania on suspicion of buying firearms and explosives for the Real IRA.^[5]
January 25 - The closure of the Jacob's plant in Tallaght, County Dublin, is announced, with the loss of 220 jobs by March 2009.^[6]
January 26 - Martin Foley, aka "The Viper", is shot in south Dublin possibly as part of an ongoing feud between criminal gangs. It was the fifth failed attempt on Mr Foley's life.^[7]

February 1 - Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, travels to Ballymena to meet First Minister, Ian Paisley, and open a resort and spa.^[8]
February 4 - Dublin based gangland criminal, Paddy Doyle, is shot dead in Southern Spain.^[9]
February 6 - Éamon Ó Cuív, Minister for Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, announces €250,000 grant to allow Orange Lodges to employ a development officer.^[10]
February 13 - Giovanni Trapattoni is confirmed as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland soccer team.
February 23 - Two Polish men were attacked with screwdrivers by a gang of teenagers in Drimnagh Southside Dublin. Both died later from their injuries.
February 29 - Ireland became the 22nd nation to recognize Kosovan independence

March 5 - A jury finds Brian Kearney guilty of the murder of his wife, Siobhán Kearney, at their home in Goatstown in February 2006.
March 14 - The Economic and Social Research Institute predicted that economic growth in Ireland for 2008 will be 1.6%, the lowest level since 1988. It was also forecast that no new jobs will be added to the Irish economy for the first time since 1991. [1]
March 26 - Farmer Michael Hanrahan, 60 , and his son Denis Hanrahan, 27, are found shot dead at their home in Moyvane, County Kerry.

April 2 - Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announces that he will resign as Head of Government on May 6.
April 8 - Brian Cowen is elected as the seventh leader of Fianna Fáil.
April 12 - Patrick Hillery, sixth President and former Minister and European Commissioner, dies aged 84.
April 15 - The case of broadcaster Pat Kenny and his neighbour, Gerard Charlrton, involving the claiming of an area of land near their home, was settled by the court. It was decided that Kenny would pay an undisclosed sum of money for the land called Gorse Hill.
April 17 - Ciarán Cannon becomes the leader of the Progressive Democrats
April 21 - It is revealed that four laptops belonging to Bank of Ireland and containing personal information of approximately 10,000 customers were stolen between June and October 2007
April 30 - Bertie Ahern becomes the sixth Irish leader to address both houses of the United States Congress.

May 6 - As part of one of his last engagements as Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern opens a new visitors centre at the site of the Battle of the Boyne in County Meath alongside Nothern Ireland First Minister Ian Paisley
May 7 - Dáil Éireann elects Fianna Fáil leader Brian Cowen as Taoiseach.
May 10 - 16 year-old Roman Vysochan, a Latvian national, is found stabbed to death in Corbally on the outskirts of Limerick City.
May 11 - A 51 year-old man is killed and another seriously injured in a small plane crash in Kilmovee, County Mayo.
May 14 - An excavation is carried out in the Slieve Bloom Mountains for the remains of Fiona Pender, who has been missing since 1996, following the discovery of a cross with her name printed on it.

Scouting in Ireland celebrates its centenary. Events to celebrate the centenary are planned throughout the year with the National Jamboree, and an exhibition in the National Museum as highlights.