Events during the year 2020 in Ireland. As in most of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic dominated events in Ireland during this year.
Incumbents
President: Michael D. Higgins Taoiseach: Leo Varadkar (FG) (until 27 June 2020) Micheál Martin (FF) (from 27 June 2020) Tánaiste: Simon Coveney (FG) (until 27 June 2020) Leo Varadkar (FG) (from 27 June 2020) Minister for Finance: Paschal Donohoe (FG) Chief Justice: Frank Clarke Dáil: 32nd (until 14 January 2020) 33rd (from 20 February 2020) Seanad: 25th (until 27 March 2020) 26th (from 27 June 2020)
Events
January
1 January – With odds of a million to one, Annmarie Byrne-Ryan gave birth to identical triplets at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin.Miracle New Year delivery as identical triplets born in Dublin Irish Independent, 2020-01-02. 2 January – Tánaiste Simon Coveney and NI Secretary Julian Smith held meetings with the five main Stormont parties in an effort to restore devolved government.Tánaiste on restoration of power-sharing in Stormont: 'We’re running out of time' Irish Examiner, 2020-01-02. 3 January – It was revealed that the FAI left the Gardaí almost €360,000 out of pocket over its failure to pay any money for policing operations around major soccer matches.Crisis-hit FAI owes Gardaí €360,000 for policing major matches Irish Examiner, 2020-01-03. 4 January – Nursing Unions called for an emergency meeting with the HSE as overcrowding reached crisis levels at Cork's two biggest hospitals.Emergency talks tomorrow as overcrowding in two Cork hospitals reaches crisis levels Irish Examiner, 2020-01-04. 5 January – One man was killed and a second man remained missing after a trawler sank off the coast of Hook Head overnight.Father-of-four who died in trawler tragedy named locally as search for second fisherman to resume tomorrow Irish Independent, 2020-01-05. 6 January – Gardaí began searching for a man following the attempted abduction of a woman in her 60s in Dublin.Manhunt under way after woman escapes attempted abduction in Dublin RTÉ News, 2020-01-06. 8 January – Gardaí arrested two men after three people were taken hostage when a bus was hijacked at Dublin Airport in the early hours of the morning.Two-hour rampage sparked after bus with three tourists on board hijacked at Dublin Airport Irish Independent, 2020-01-08. 9 January – Tánaiste Simon Coveney and Northern Secretary Julian Smith published their proposals on restoring power-sharing at Stormont and urged all parties to support the plan. NI proposals 'provide basis' for agreement – Coveney RTÉ News, 2020-01-09. 13 January – There were widespread power cuts, downed trees and localised flooding across the country due to Storm Brendan.Power cuts and trees down as Storm Brendan passes RTÉ News, 2020-01-13. 14 January – Taoiseach Leo Varadkar called a general election for Saturday 8 February.The 32nd Dáil has been dissolved by President Michael D Higgins The Journal, 2020-01-14. 15 January Aer Lingus launched its new uniform which included a trousers option for female crew for the first time.First Look: Aer Lingus reveals new trousers option for female cabin crew Irish Independent, 2020-01-15. Gardaí confirmed that the dismembered body parts found in Dublin two days earlier were the remains of missing 17-year-old Keane Mulready-Woods.Reports suggest teenager whose body parts were found in Dublin was abducted and tortured before his death Irish Post, 2020-01-16. A man was left in a serious condition in hospital after the tent he was sleeping in was removed from the banks of the Grand Canal by an industrial vehicle.Homeless man in serious condition after tent removed by industrial vehicle RTÉ News, 2020-01-15. 16 January – There were major traffic delays along the M50 and the Port Tunnel due to a convoy of tractors as part of a farmers' protest.Major traffic delays on M50 and Port Tunnel as farmers move protest out of Dublin city Irish Independent, 2020-01-16. 17 January – Sinn Féin councillor Paddy Holohan was suspended from the party after he made controversial remarks regarding women and the Taoiseach's heritage.Paddy Holohan suspended from Sinn Féin over podcast comments RTÉ News, 2020-01-17. 18 January – Taoiseach Leo Varadkar insisted Ireland was a "safe" country following the murder of a teenager and a number of violent crimes in recent days.Taoiseach insists Ireland is a ‘safe’ country despite week of violent crime Irish Examiner, 2020-01-18. 20 January – Fianna Fáil asked the Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) to investigate an "abuse" of state events by Fine Gael during the election campaign. Fianna Fáil accuses Fine Gael of 'abuse' of state event during campaign RTÉ News, 2020-01-20. 23 January James Joyce's last living descendant, his grandson Stephen Joyce, died in France. The event was marked by a public statement of sympathy by President Higgins.Grandson of James Joyce dies in France aged 87 RTÉ News, 2020-01-24.Statement on the death of Stephen Joyce Áras an Úachtaráin, 2020-01-24. Former Republic of Ireland striker Niall Quinn was appointed interim deputy chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland.FAI announce Niall Quinn as interim deputy CEO with wide-ranging remit for Irish soccer Irish Independent, 2020-01-23. 24 January – Gardaí began an investigation after the bodies of three children were discovered at a house in Newcastle in West Dublin.Bodies of three children found at Dublin home RTÉ News, 2020-01-24. 26 January – Cyclists held a protest along Dublin's Quays to highlight the delays in developing the Liffey Cycle Route.Cyclists protest over delays to Liffey Cycle Route development RTÉ News, 2020-01-26. 27 January – A married couple were sentenced to five-and-a-half years and four years and nine months for the female genital mutilation of their then 21-month-old daughter.Couple jailed for the female genital mutilation of their one-year-old daughter Irish Independent, 2020-01-27. 29 January – The mother of the three children found dead at their home in Newcastle, County Dublin, appeared in court charged with their murder.Mother Deirdre Morley charged with murdering her three children Breaking News, 2020-01-29. 30 January – The Government promised to double its funding and give the Football Association of Ireland an interest free loan of €2.5 million annually for the next three years.FAI funding doubled as part of refinancing deal RTÉ News, 2020-01-30.
February
1 February – The minimum wage officially increased to €10.10 per hour.Minimum wage increases 30c from today Irish Examiner, 2020-02-01. 3 February – It was announced that the election of candidates will not proceed in the Tipperary constituency due to the death of independent candidate Marese Skehan.No vote in Tipperary this weekend after death of General Election candidate Breaking News, 2020-02-03. 4 February – Many second-level schools were closed due to a strike by members of the Teachers' Union of Ireland over unequal pay.Hundreds of secondary schools remain shut as TUI continue with 'last resort' strike Breaking News, 2020-02-04. 5 February – Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy signed a special order to allow the general election vote take place in Tipperary following the death of one of the candidates.Eoghan Murphy signs order for Tipperary vote to go ahead on Saturday Irish Independent, 2020-02-05. 6 February – An investigation began into an attack on a memorial wall in Glasnevin Cemetery, which commemorates victims of the revolutionary era.Memorial wall at Glasnevin Cemetery damaged in attack RTÉ News, 2020-02-06. 7 February – Hundreds of school children took to the streets to highlight what they describe as a lack of inaction against climate change.‘Keeping climate in voter’s minds’: Hundreds take to the streets in pre-election strike Irish Examiner, 2020-02-07. 8 February – The general election took place with a 62.9% turnout. 9 February – Galway-born Eimear Noone became the first female conductor of an Academy Awards ceremony.Galway conductor Eimear Noone praised as Oscar history made RTÉ News, 2020-02-09. 10 February – Fianna Fáil emerged as the biggest party in the 33rd Dáil by just one seat after counting of ballots concluded in the general election.Fianna Fáil edges Sinn Féin in race to win most Dáil seats Breaking News, 2020-02-10. 12 February – Brendan Howlin stepped down as leader of the Labour Party while also announcing that the party would not formally be part of the next government.'It has been an honour': Brendan Howlin resigns as Labour leader Breaking News, 2020-02-12. 13 February – The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party agreed not to enter into talks with Sinn Féin about government formation.Fianna Fáil TDs to seek coalition that excludes Sinn Féin Irish Independent, 2020-02-13. 14 February – The new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said that there will be no border down the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.UK Govt will not have a border in the Irish Sea – Lewis RTÉ News, 2020-02-14. 15 February – The Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality held its first hearings in Malahide. Citizens' Assembly on gender equality begins formal hearings RTÉ News, 2020-02-15. 16 February – Thousands of homes, farms and businesses were without power as a result of Storm Dennis, which brought strong winds to parts of the south and west coasts.8,000 without power as Storm Dennis brings 120km/h gusts RTÉ News, 2020-02-16. 17 February – Over 900 new speed zones came into effect across the country with cameras operating in areas that have a history of speed-related collisions.Over 900 new speed camera zones revealed RTÉ News, 2020-02-17. 18 February Two Irish citizens, who were on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, tested positive for coronavirus according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. Two Irish citizens on Diamond Princess cruise ship test positive for coronavirus RTÉ News, 2020-02-18. Alan Kelly and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin were both nominated to contest the Labour Party leadership election.Alan Kelly and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin: Who are the Labour leader contenders? Irish Times, 2020-02-18. 19 February – The Jewish Representative Council of Ireland said it was "disappointing" that Sinn Féin had yet to condemn "offensive comments" by TD Réada Cronin.Jewish council dismayed at Sinn Féin TD’s ‘unacceptable’ tweets Irish Times, 2020-02-19. 20 February The first convening of the 33rd Dáil took place at Leinster House.33rd Dáil to meet for first time since election Irish Times, 2020-02-20. Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl was re-elected as Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.Seán Ó Fearghaíl re-elected as Ceann Comhairle RTÉ News, 2020-02-20. After failing to win enough support to be re-appointed, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar travelled to Áras an Uachtaráin to offer his resignation to President Higgins.McDonald gets most votes but no Taoiseach elected RTÉ News, 2020-02-20. 21 February – Commissioner Drew Harris said that the Gardaí do not differ from the view of the PSNI that a provisional army council oversees both Sinn Féin and the IRA. McDonald says IRA has 'gone away' in response to Harris comments RTÉ News, 2020-02-21. 24 February – Between 800 and 1,000 people attended a meeting in Cork to rally public support for Sinn Féin's efforts to get into government.Hundreds attend Sinn Fein meeting in Cork to rally support for government efforts Irish Independent, 2020-02-24. 25 February – Gardaí began questioning a mother of three over the fatal stabbing of a man in a suspected attack over a car parking space in Kingswood, Dublin.Gardaí examine CCTV over ‘parking space’ murder Breaking News, 2020-02-25. 26 February The Dáil Business Committee agreed that the Dáil would not vote on the position of Taoiseach when it meets for a second time next week.Dáil ditches next week's vote for new Taoiseach Irish Examiner, 2020-02-26.