2022 in Northern Ireland explained
Events from the year 2022 in Northern Ireland.
Incumbents
Events
See also: Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Ireland (2022).
January
February
March
- 4 March – Release of film An Irish Goodbye.
- 7 March – The 2022 Ulster Grand Prix is cancelled due to funding issues.[23]
- 10 March – Ian Paisley Jr. calls on the British Government to act due to a steep rise in the cost of living.[24]
- 18 March – DUP leader Paula Bradley announces that she is stepping away from politics in order to care for her elderly parents.[25]
- 22 March – The Terror threat in Northern Ireland is lowered for the first time in 12 years, from severe to substantial.[26]
- 23 March – The High Court squashes a decision to drop charges against a former Paratropper known as Soldier F for his role in Bloody Sunday.[27]
- 24 March – Health Minister, Robin Swann, confirms that most people in Northern Ireland will no longer be eligible for free COVID testing from 22 April, although lateral flow tests will continue to be free for people displaying symptoms. Swann also confirms that routine contract tracing is to be phased out in Northern Ireland between mid-April and June.[28]
- 25 March – Simon Coveney and others are evacuated from the Houben Centre on Crumlin Road due to a bomb threat.[29]
- 29 March – Sinn Féin hold their election launch at the Europa Hotel, a move that is criticized due to it being a target of the Provisional IRA during The Troubles.[30]
April
May
- 1 May – The first televised debates related to the Assembly election takes place, being broadcast on UTV.[35]
- 3 May – The second and final televised debate takes place, being broadcast on BBC One Northern Ireland.[36]
- 5 May – The Northern Ireland Assembly elections took place,[37]
- 8 May – Sinn Féin is declared the largest party in Northern Ireland, winning 27 seats, followed by the DUP winning 25.[38]
- 11 May – Sinn Féin slams Sir Jeffrey Donaldson after he states that he will stall the formation of the new Stormont Assembly if changes aren't made to the Northern Ireland protocol.[39]
- 12 May – The Police Service of Northern Ireland issue a public apology to Bridie Brown, the widow of murdered GAA official Sean Brown. Brown was murdered by the LVF in 1992 following an abduction.[40]
June
July
August
- 3 August – Work on a disused soccer field that was due to be redeveloped for use as a GAA field for the East Belfast GAA team is stopped due to concerning social media posts.[47]
- 4 August – The 10 day Féile an Phobail begins in Belfast.[48]
- 15 August – Larne F.C. suspends John Herron due to an image circulating on social media showing the player wearing a Pro-IRA shirt.[49]
- 21 August – A LucidTalk poll by the Belfast Telegraph reveals 48% of voters support Northern Ireland remaining with the Union, 41% support a United Ireland, and 11% are undecided.[50]
- 22 August – Following yesterday's poll results, Sinn Féin MP John Finucane announced that the party will begin discussions for the planning of Irish Unity in October.[51]
- 28 August – A DUP Member of the Legislative Assembly comes under scrutiny after negatively responding to a tweet from the PSNI regarding new gender neutral uniforms.[52]
September
October
November
December
- 1 December – Two bodies are found near the Irish border in County Monaghan, one in a house in Broomfield, near Castleblayney, and the other in a car crash. PSNI believe the deaths are linked.[76]
- 5 December – PSNI discover the body of a 15-year-old boy in Fintona, later identified as Matthew McAllan. The death is classified as being 'unexplained'.[77] [78]
- 18 December – Natalie McNally, a 32-year-old, 15 weeks pregnant woman is stabbed to death at her home in Silverwood Green in Lurgan.[79]
Deaths
February
March
April
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Notes and References
- News: 2022-02-03. DUP: NI First Minister Paul Givan announces resignation. en-GB. BBC News. 2022-02-03.
- News: McCann . Nuala . Aidan Mann: Tragic street death of talented tattoo artist . BBC News . 4 July 2023 .
- News: Watch: Stormont row erupts over UDR book in background of Jim Allister during committee meeting. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-01-06. 0307-1235.
- News: 2022-01-06. Covid-19: Further NI Covid restrictions 'not necessary'. en-GB. BBC News. 2022-01-10.
- News: Belfast's Europa Hotel fire suspected to have been caused accidentally. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-01-14. 0307-1235.
- News: Victims welcome news that findings of Ballymurphy inquest will be sent to PPS. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-01-17. 0307-1235.
- News: 2022-01-25. Doug Beattie will ask party to decide on leadership. en-GB. BBC News. 2022-01-25.
- News: DUP to halt Brexit checks at Northern Ireland ports, as Sinn Fein accuse party of 'stunt politics'. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-01-27. 0307-1235.
- News: 'We Shall Overcome'... Bloody Sunday march on 50th anniversary. 2022-01-31. www.derryjournal.com. 31 January 2022 . en.
- News: Public urged to help combat rising hate crime attacks in Northern Ireland. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-01-31. 0307-1235.
- News: Stormont sets target of net-zero emissions by 2050 as Greens' amendment passed by vote of 50 to 38. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-02. 0307-1235.
- News: NI protocol crisis: Paul Givan's resignation expected by afternoon and effective immediately amidst border crisis – of which Downing Street was unaware. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-03. 0307-1235.
- News: Paul Givan resigns as First Minister, as DUP's Donaldson says time for people to 'have their say'. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-03. 0307-1235.
- News: Edwin Poots' order to halt NI Protocol checks at ports suspended by High Court judge. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-04. 0307-1235.
- News: 2021-06-03. Plans announced for The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend 2022. en-GB. The Royal Family. 2022-01-04.
- News: Galway firm rides in to save Barry's Amusements in Portrush. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-14. 0307-1235.
- News: Covid-19: Northern Ireland to remove all remaining restrictions. BBC News. 14 February 2022.
- News: Storm Dudley: Weather warning brought forward. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-15. 0307-1235.
- News: Storm Eunice: Northern Ireland agencies on alert for wind and snow disruption on Friday. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-17. 0307-1235.
- News: Storm Eunice Northern Ireland updates: New weather warnings for ice and wind issued by Met Office. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-18. 0307-1235.
- News: Met Office Storm Franklin forecast Northern Ireland: 9,000 people faced power cuts at height of storm. en-GB. belfasttelegraph. 2022-02-21. 0307-1235.
- News: Northern Ireland will not play Russia 'for the foreseeable future' as Irish FA joins boycott before Fifa and Uefa announce ban . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-03-07 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: Live . Belfast . 2022-03-07 . Ulster Grand Prix future in doubt after cancellation of 2022 event . 2022-03-07 . BelfastLive . en.
- News: Cost of living crisis: Northern Ireland fuel and heating oil prices soar – weekly increases revealed . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-03-10 . 0307-1235.
- News: DUP deputy leader Paula Bradley stepping away from politics to care for elderly parents . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-03-18 . 0307-1235.
- News: Northern Ireland terror threat level lowered for the first time in 12 years . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-03-22 . 0307-1235.
- News: Bloody Sunday: Court quashes decision to drop Soldier F murder charges . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-03-23 . 0307-1235.
- News: 24 March 2022 . Covid-19: Free PCR tests to end for most in April . BBC News . 25 March 2022.
- News: Traumatised van driver ordered to bring bomb to peace event attended by Simon Coveney has been forced to leave his home, Belfast court hears . Erwin . Alan . 2022-04-06 . 2022-04-07 . Irish Independent.
- News: Sinn Fein slammed for election launch at Belfast's Europa Hotel which was repeatedly bombed by IRA . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-03-31 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: Barry's Amusements Portrush: New owners open doors of Curry's Fun Park in time for Easter holidays . 2022-04-13 . MSN . en-GB.
- News: Titanic's 110th anniversary: One of only six life jackets remaining from ship to be displayed in Belfast museum . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-04-07 . 0307-1235.
- News: Easter Monday: Arrests made as police come under attack from petrol bombs in Derry during Saoradh parade . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-04-18 . 0307-1235.
- News: NI man reported to have been killed in Portugal after knife attack . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-04-26 . 0307-1235.
- News: 2022-05-01 . NI election 2022: Parties clash at first leaders debate . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-05-06.
- News: 2022-05-03 . NI election 2022: Party leaders go head-to-head in TV debate . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-05-06.
- News: 2021-12-05. Northern Ireland Assembly elections. en-GB. Electoral Commission. 2022-01-04.
- News: Sinn Fein largest party as all 90 MLAs confirmed after watershed election which redraws Northern Ireland's political landscape . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-05-08 . 0307-1235.
- News: Sinn Fein slam DUP for 'holding society to ransom' over electing new Assembly Speaker . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-05-11 . 0307-1235.
- News: Police issue public apology to widow of GAA official abducted and murdered by LVF . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-05-12 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: Ivana Kottasová . EU launches legal action against UK over post-Brexit deal on Northern Ireland . 2022-06-16 . CNN. 15 June 2022 .
- News: Prison van rammed: Dangerous crime gang from south Armagh believed to be behind bid to free suspected killer . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-06-16 . 0307-1235.
- News: Northern Ireland Ambulance Service launches body cam pilot scheme in response to attacks on staff . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-07-06 . 0307-1235.
- News: Price . Chris . 2022-07-06 . Wednesday evening UK news briefing: Cabinet ministers poised to tell Boris Johnson he must resign . en-GB . The Telegraph . 2022-07-06 . 0307-1235.
- News: Man dies after fall from bonfire in Northern Ireland . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-07-11 . 0307-1235.
- News: Hundreds apply for emergency support after North West flooding . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-07-25 . 0307-1235.
- News: Work on potential east Belfast GAA pitch halted due to 'concerns around social media commentary' . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-08-03 . 0307-1235.
- News: Feile an Phobail announces 2022 festival dates . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-08-16 . 0307-1235.
- News: John Herron: Larne FC suspends player 'with immediate effect' for wearing top that appears to show pro-IRA slogan . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-08-15 . 0307-1235.
- News: Support for Northern Ireland to remain part of UK still strong, new poll reveals . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-08-22 . 0307-1235.
- News: Sinn Fein calls for 'immediate' preparations for Irish unity in wake of LucidTalk poll result . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-08-22 . 0307-1235.
- News: DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley faces criticism after response to PSNI's new gender inclusive uniform policy . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-08-29 . 0307-1235.
- News: NI born-again Christian jailed over 84 charges of sexually abusing children in his wife's childminding premises . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-09-02 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: Rob Picheta and Ed Upright . 2022-09-06 . Liz Truss becomes new UK Prime Minister as Boris Johnson bids farewell: Live updates . 2022-09-08 . CNN . en.
- News: Queen Elizabeth II dies . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-09-08 . 0307-1235.
- News: Queen Elizabeth II: UK enters period of national mourning until seven days after Monarch's funeral- Northern Ireland pays tribute . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-09-09 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: The Accession Council . 2022-09-12 . Privy Council . en-GB.
- News: King Charles III and Queen Consort end historic Northern Ireland visit after Service of Reflection . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-09-13 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: 2022-09-13 . Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill to attend Queen's funeral . 2022-09-19 . ITV News . en.
- News: Man appears in court accused of attempting to murder two PSNI officers after police vehicles rammed by tractor in Co Tyrone . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-09-26 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: Manley . John . 2022-09-28 . Alliance snubs Ireland's Future and calls Dublin event a 'rally to endorse a united Ireland' . 2022-09-28 . The Irish News . en.
- News: 2022-10-04 . Sean Fox murder: CCTV of suspects at scene of 'ruthless execution' . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-10-05.
- News: Sean Fox murder 'has the characteristics' of a so-called 'professional' hit, says ex-senior PSNI officer . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-10-05 . 0307-1235.
- News: Man travelling from Scotland to Bangor rescued after 30ft yacht suffered engine failure close to Larne . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-10-12 . 0307-1235.
- News: Orange Order to hold Covid-19 memorial service for members who passed away during pandemic . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-10-13 . 0307-1235.
- News: 2022-10-20 . Liz Truss: A quick guide to the UK's shortest-serving PM . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-10-26.
- News: 2022-10-24 . 'The loss of any pregnancy is a source of profound grief' – NI Minister to legislate for Miscarriage Leave and Pay . 2022-10-24 . www.derryjournal.com . en.
- Web site: 2022-10-24 . Rishi Sunak to become first British PM of colour and also first Hindu at No 10 . 2022-10-26 . the Guardian . en.
- News: Secretary of State to hold crunch talks with NI political leaders as Stormont deadline looms . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-10-26 . 0307-1235.
- News: NI Assembly election to be called but no date set. BBC News . 28 October 2022. 1 November 2022.
- Web site: UK postpones Northern Ireland election indefinitely. 4 November 2022. POLITICO. 6 November 2022.
- Web site: Northern Ireland will hold an election in early 2023 – UK minister . 2022-11-10 . MSN . en-US.
- News: Health union leaders to meet minister amid prospect of NHS industrial action . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-11-14 . 0307-1235.
- News: 2022-11-21 . East Belfast UVF: Four appear in court after gun and pipe bomb seizures . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-11-22.
- News: 2022-11-25 . Aidan McAnespie: Ex-soldier found guilty of checkpoint shooting . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-11-25.
- News: Two men's bodies found near Irish border as PSNI and gardaí investigate . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-12-01 . 0307-1235.
- News: Matthew McCallan's mum says her son 'is now an angel in heaven' after body found in Co Tyrone . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-12-06 . 0307-1235.
- News: Matthew McCallan: Senior officer says lessons will be learned after Tyrone teenager's death . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-12-08 . 0307-1235.
- News: 2023-01-03 . Natalie McNally murder: Family tell of grief over daughter's death . en-GB . BBC News . 2023-01-06.
- Web site: 2022-02-20. Tributes paid to DUP politician Christopher Stalford, who has died at 39. 2022-02-21. the Guardian. en.
- News: Tributes paid to 'true original' NI music journalist Gavin Martin after death aged 60 . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-03-11 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: Kenny . Jake . 2022-04-18 . 'He gave us so much of himself': Developer and business owner Alasdair Cassels dies . 2022-05-06 . Stuff . en.
- Web site: Funeral Times Death Notice Norman SURPLUS . 2022-05-06 . www.funeraltimes.com.
- Web site: Lynch . Connor . 2022-04-24 . Tributes paid to father of Alliance councillor Michael Long . 2022-05-05 . BelfastLive . en . 25 April 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220425114340/https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/news/belfast-news/tributes-paid-father-belfast-alliance-23769238 . live .
- News: Former Northern Ireland manager Bingham dies . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-06-16.
- News: Colm McGurk: All-Ireland winner remembered for 'unbreakable spirit and legacy' following Derry man's death . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-07-25 . 0307-1235.
- News: One of Northern Ireland's most dangerous loyalist terrorists Sam 'Skelly' McCrory dies in tumble outside flat in Ayr, Scotland . 2022-07-25 . www.newsletter.co.uk . 25 July 2022 . en.
- News: Sir William Wright: Tributes paid as Wrightbus founder dies aged 94 – 'Ballymena has lost a giant' . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-07-25 . 0307-1235.
- News: 2022-07-25 . David Trimble: Former Northern Ireland first minister and UUP leader dies . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-07-25.
- News: Arsenal & Northern Ireland legend Neill dies at 80 . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-08-03.
- Web site: Ainsworth . Paul . 2022-08-10 . Tributes paid to Down GAA 'history maker' Kieran Denvir . 2022-08-29 . The Irish News . en.
- News: 2022-09-12 . Kim Lenaghan: Radio Ulster presenter dies aged 61 . en-GB . BBC News . 2022-09-12.
- Web site: Liam Holden: Last man sentenced to death in North dies . 2022-09-18 . Belfast Media Group . en.
- News: 'May Blood is simply irreplaceable': Tributes pour in for former Labour peer and integrated education campaigner following death aged 84 . en-GB . belfasttelegraph . 2022-10-21 . 0307-1235.
- Web site: McKenna . Micheal . Former Craigavon Mayor and Upper Bann MLA Sammy Gardiner passes away . 2022-11-08 . Armagh I . 8 November 2022 . en.
- Web site: 2022-11-10 . Former British champion Keith Farmer dead, aged 35 . 2022-11-11 . Crash . en.
- Web site: Manley . John . 2022-12-14 . For Lord Justice Sir John MacDermott dies . 2022-12-14 . The Irish News . en.