2018 in Northern Ireland explained

Events during the year 2018 in Northern Ireland.

Incumbents

• First Minister – Vacant
• deputy First Minister – Vacant
• Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – James Brokenshire (until 8 January), Karen Bradley (from 8 January)

Events

• 8 January – Sinn Féin MP Barry McElduff was suspended from all party activity for three months after he posted a video online that relatives of the victims of the 1976 Kingsmill massacre described as callous and offensive. He resigned as an MP a week later.^[1]
• 15 January – Resignation of Sinn Féin MP, Barry McElduff, which will result in a by-election for West Tyrone^[2] on 3 May; the seat is retained by Sinn Féin.
• 10 October – In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of the U.K. rules the Christian owners of Ashers Baking Co. were not obliged by law to make a cake featuring the words "Support Gay Marriage".^{[3] [4]}

The arts

• 4 January – Sitcom Derry Girls, set in the 1990s, premieres on Channel 4 television.^[5]
• 4 April – The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards take place at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast.^[6]
• May – Anna Burns' novel Milkman, set in a fictionalised Belfast during The Troubles, is published; on 16 October it is awarded the Man Booker Prize, making the author its first winner from Northern Ireland.^[7]

Deaths

• 3 March – Arthur Stewart, footballer (Glentoran, Derby County, Detroit Cougars) (b. 1958)^[8]
• 7 July – William Dunlop, motorcycle racer, collision during practice (b. 1985)^[9]
• 10 July – John Laird, Baron Laird, Unionist politician (b. 1944)^[10]
• 5 September – Robert Coulter, Unionist politician, MLA for Antrim North (1998–2011) (b. 1929)^[11]
• 22 September – Jo Gilbert, film producer (Closing the Ring) and casting director, brain tumour (b. 1955 in England)^[12]
• 4 October – Bertie McMinn, footballer (Distillery, Glenavon, Moyola Park), cancer (b. 1958)^[13]
• 11 October – Jimbo Simpson, UDA paramilitary, lung cancer, 60^[14]

See also

• 2018 in England
• 2018 in Scotland
• 2018 in Wales

Notes and References

1. https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2018/0108/931701-barry-mcelduff-video/ Sinn Féin MP suspended for three months over Kingsmill video
2. Web site: Sinn Féin MP McElduff resigns over tweet. BBC News. 8 February 2018. 2018.
3. Web site: Christian 'gay cake' bakery wins in UK Supreme Court. 10 October 2018 . www.abc.net.au . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181016110229/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-11/christian-gay-cake-bakery-has-supreme-court-win/10363112 . 16 October 2018.
4. News: Ashers 'gay cake' row: Bakers win Supreme Court appeal . 10 October 2018 . . live . https://archive.today/20181010095117/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-45789759 . 10 October 2018.
5. News: Derry Girls could become TV hit – if viewers can understand them. Little. Ivan. 2017-12-20. Belfast Telegraph. 2017-12-23.
6. Web site: Folk awards go to Belfast for first time. BBC News. 8 February 2018. 7 February 2018.
7. Web site: Man Booker Prize: Anna Burns becomes first winner from Northern Ireland. BBC News. 16 October 2018. 17 October 2018.
8. News: Former Northern Ireland international Arthur Stewart dies aged 76. Belfast Telegraph.
9. News: William Dunlop killed in crash at Skerries 100 road races. BBC Sport. BBC. 2018-07-07.
10. News: Tributes to flamboyant unionist peer Laird, dead at 74. Belfast Telegraph. 2018-07-11.
11. News: Tributes as former MLA Robert Coulter passes away. Belfast Telegraph. 2018-09-05.
12. News: Preston. Allan . Producer who brought film world to Northern Ireland dies at 63. Belfast Telegraph. 2018-09-22.
13. News: Gracey. Jim. Obituary: Bertie McMinn, Irish League legend who was one of the most gifted players of his generation. Belfast Telegraph. 2018-10-05.
14. News: Ainsworth. Paul. Holy Cross dispute UDA leader Jim Simpson dies from cancer. The Irish News. Belfast. 2018-10-15.