2007

March 26, 2007

Agreement to share power between Protestants and Catholics is announced between the two hardliners of Northern Irish politics, Gerry Adams of Sinn Fein and Ian Paisley of the Democratic Unionist Party. Paisley is to be First Minister of Northern Ireland. The deal is to take effect on May 8. Adams's Sinn Fein associate Martin McGuinness will have the title Deputy First Minister, a post expected to have roughly similar authority and responsibilities as Paisley's. The arrangement was first envisioned under the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which aimed to end years of civil war. Years of setbacks and infighting delayed the final deal.

March 7, 2007

Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein triumph in Assembly elections in Northern Ireland, eclipsing the more moderate political parties that the British province's voters supported in the past. After the election, Britain and Ireland welcome the result and give Northern Irish leaders a little over a month to make a power-sharing deal or face dissolution of the province's assembly and new governing arrangements imposed from London and Dublin.

January 28, 2007

Sinn Fein party conference votes overwhelmingly to co-operate with Northern Ireland police force, which many Catholics have long viewed as Protestant-dominated and biased against their community. The decision removes a major hurdle to establishing the power-sharing mechanism in the province, which Protestant hardliners had been refusing to endorse until Sinn Fein supported the police.

2006

November 24, 2006

Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley says he will only become First Minister of Northern Ireland if Sinn Fein, the party overwhelmingly supported by Catholics, agrees to support the province's police service. Debate in the transitional Northern Ireland Assembly is adjourned when a Protestant extremist threatens to storm the building, carrying grenades and firearms.

October 13, 2006

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his Irish counterpart, Bertie Ahern unveil plan for reviving power-sharing arrangements by March 26, 2007. The plan calls for Sinn Fein to recognize the Northern Irish police force and for Ian Paisley of the DUP to accept the nomination as First Minister.

May 22, 2006

Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams nominates the DUP's Ian Paisley to be First Minister of Northern Ireland. The two men or their parties have not engaged each other in public, outside of Assembly debates, for decades. Paisley rejects the nomination.

May 15, 2006

Britain revives the Northern Ireland Assembly and gives members and political leaders until November 24 to agree on the details of power sharing, as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement. The Assembly's sole task is to work on power sharing and London remains in direct control of Northern Ireland.

April 6, 2006:

British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern announce that Northern Ireland's legislature is to be reconvened on May 15, 2006. Britain suspended the legislature in October 2002 because of an IRA spying scandal. The spying incident increased tensions between the majority protestant Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein. Blair and Ahern say the revival of the legislature is a final attempt to work on a power-sharing agreement between Protestants and Catholics. The leaders say the legislature is at risk of being permanently dissolved if the Democratic Unionists refuse to co-operate with Sinn Fein. Without the legislature, Northern Ireland will remain subject to direct rule from London.

April 4, 2006:

The body of IRA veteran and former Sinn Fein official, Denis Donaldson is found in northwestern Ireland. He had been shot. In December 2005, Donaldson confessed to being a British spy for two decades. He had also been linked to allegedly stolen British government documents in a scandal that helped bring down a fledgling power-sharing administration in Northern Ireland.

The IRA denied involvement in his death.

2005

July 28, 2005:

The IRA announces an end to its armed struggle to end British rule in Northern Ireland. The paramilitary organization instructs its units to dump its arms and for its volunteers to "assist the development of purely political and democratic programmes through exclusively peaceful means." British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he welcome's the IRA's statement.
» CBC News: IRA declares end to armed campaign

2004

Feb. 3, 2004:

All political parties begin meetings in Stormont, Northern Ireland, to review the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

May 26, 2004:

The review is recessed for the European Parliament elections. It would resume in mid-June.

July 27, 2004:

A new round of political talks is scheduled for September, in Leeds Castle, England.

Sept. 18, 2004:

Tony Blair announces that three days of talks aimed at restoring the assembly have failed. Talks would later resume in Stormont.
» CBC News: Ulster leaders fail to reach power-sharing deal

Nov. 26, 2004:

U.S. President George W. Bush telephones the leaders of the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein to urge them to compromise on an agreement and to support efforts toward a deal.
» CBC News: Bush urges Northern Ireland compromise

2003

Feb. 22, 2003:

Protestants institute a 12-month moratorium on attacks against Catholics. The Ulster Defence Association also announces it wants to resume talks with retired Canadian general John de Chastelain. He's been leading disarmament talks in the region since 1997.
» CBC News: Protestants announce ceasefire in N. Ireland

April 10, 2003:

The U.K. and Ireland delay at the last minute the publication of a plan to restore the Northern Ireland power-sharing government.
» CBC News: Northern Ireland peace plan delayed

May 1, 2003:

The plan to restore the Northern Ireland government is released, but Tony Blair postpones the assembly elections until the fall.

June 17, 2003:

Trimble's party narrowly accepts the terms of the plan, but three members resign the party over it.

Oct. 21, 2003:

Britain announces that the assembly elections will take place Nov. 26. Retired Canadian general John de Chastelain announces that the IRA has begun putting more weapons beyond use.
» CBC News: Northern Ireland elections set for Nov. 26
» CBC News: IRA disarms after election called

Nov. 26, 2003:

The election for the Northern Ireland assembly takes place, with the pro-British Democratic Unionist Party and nationalist Sinn Fein forming the two largest parties.
» CBC News: Vote result in Northern Ireland points to political deadlock

Dec. 18, 2003:

Three members of the Ulster Unionist Party quit. Two would later join the Democratic Unionist Party.

2002

Jan. 11, 2002:

Catholic schoolchildren return to a Belfast school after a night of nearby violent clashes injures at least 30 people. The school had been shut down the day before following previous confrontations between Protestants and Catholics.

Jan. 14, 2002:

Reid condemns the violence, describing the recent attacks and death threats issued against staff and teachers at a Catholic school and against Catholic postal workers as cowardly.

Jan. 21, 2002:

Four Sinn Fein MPs arrive at Westminster but won't take their seats in the House of Commons and refuse to take an oath of allegiance to the Queen. The MPs were able to move into their offices and draw on MP expense accounts after a controversial vote the previous month lifted a ban on the party. Blair says recognizing the Sinn Fein politicians will encourage Irish republicans to engage with the parliament and become more involved in Britain's democratic processes. This has rankled Conservatives and Unionists who say the move tampers with the rules of parliament by creating special status for one group.

April 8, 2002:

The IRA surrenders another portion of its arsenal in a sign of support for the peace accord. A substantial number of guns, as well as ammunition and explosives, are handed over to disarmament officials.

July 16, 2002:

The IRA apologizes for killing civilians during more than three decades of violence in Northern Ireland. "We offer our sincere apologies and condolences to their families," the IRA says in the unprecedented statement faxed to British news organizations. "While it was not our intention to injure or kill noncombatants, the reality is that on this and on a number of other occasions, that was the consequence of our actions. It is therefore appropriate on the anniversary of this tragic event that we address all of the deaths and injuries of noncombatants caused by us."

July 22, 2002:

A series of gun attacks in northern Belfast leave a Catholic teenager dead. It's the first death related to the conflict in the region in three months. The victim was walking just after midnight near Whitewell Road, a contested boundary between rival neighbourhoods on either side of the sectarian divide. Catholics say the series of shootings started the previous Saturday night after Protestant militants on motorcycles were seen trying to shoot Catholics. Protestants argued the first shooting injured a Protestant man.

July 24, 2002:

In the final parliamentary session before the summer, Blair warns that the violence has to stop and vows to crack down on paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland. Blair says both sides must prove they are "not engaged in any preparations for terrorism." He says extra police and soldiers would be sent to flashpoint areas.

Sept. 21, 2002:

Ulster Unionists issue an ultimatum to the IRA: quash the violence within four months or the Protestant party will leave the coalition. Trimble says the IRA would have until Jan. 18 to finish "a transition from violence to exclusively peaceful means" as pledged when the Good Friday peace accord was reached.

Oct. 4, 2002:

Police raid Sinn Fein's offices and homes in Catholic parts of Belfast as part of investigation into stolen documents. Sinn Fein's senior legislative aide, Denis Donaldson, would later be charged with possessing stolen British government documents.

Oct. 8, 2002:

Trimble says Sinn Fein must be kicked out of the government after charges that the IRA stole British documents. If they aren't, "that will leave us with no alternative but to remove ourselves from the administration," Trimble says.

Oct. 15, 2002:

Britain suspends Northern Ireland's power-sharing administration, saying it would resume administrative responsibility in an effort to preserve peace. Both sides denounce Britain's move. This is the fourth time Britain has suspended the coalition in less than three years.
» CBC News: Britain suspends N. Ireland power-sharing deal

Oct. 30, 2002:

The IRA announces that it's breaking off contact with the international body overseeing the disarmament of guerrillas, crippling the future of the Northern Ireland peace process. The IRA blames the British government and Blair for the move, saying it's up to the British government to create confidence in the peace process by honouring its obligations.

2001

Jan. 30, 2001:

A judge rules that Trimble's ban on Sinn Fein ministers is illegal.

March 4, 2001:

The Real IRA is accused in a bomb blast near the headquarters of the British Broadcasting Corporation.

July 1, 2001:

David Trimble resigns as first minister of the power-sharing executive. He had set the day as his deadline to quit unless the IRA begins disarming.

July 12, 2001:

The IRA denies its involvement in clashes during Orange Order marches where more than 100 police officers were injured.

Aug. 1, 2001:

The governments of the U.K. and Ireland release a set of proposals designed to break the deadlock in negotiations. They give parties a week to respond.

Aug. 10, 2001:

Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid suspends the Northern Ireland assembly for 24 hours. After the assembly is restored, the deadline for a deal is set for six weeks.

Sept. 5, 2001:

Protestant militants are arrested on suspicion of throwing a bomb the day before that injured police guarding Catholic schoolgirls. Protestants had repeatedly harassed the girls on their way to school.

Oct. 18, 2001:

Five Ulster Unionist ministers resign over the IRA's failure to disarm. Unless the ministers return, the Catholic-Protestant power-sharing executive will collapse at midnight on Oct. 24.

Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams, Belfast, Northern Ireland, Feb. 11, 2000. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Oct. 22, 2001:

In an attempt to save Northern Ireland's peace process, Gerry Adams tells the group to disarm. Northern Ireland Secretary John Reid also shows his support for IRA disarmament, stating the move would not receive "an ungenerous response" from his government.

Oct. 23, 2001:

The IRA announces it has begun to disarm and will put some of its weapons "completely and verifiably beyond use." This measure is the first step in preventing Northern Ireland's peace process from crumbling entirely.

Oct. 24, 2001:

Trimble prevents the collapse of the Northern Ireland executive by nominating Ulster Unionist members to the body.

Nov. 2, 2001:

Two members of Trimble's own party vote against him, denying him the title of first minister.

Nov. 3, 2001:

Adams launches the Canadian chapter of Friends of Sinn Fein, a non-profit group that will raise funds in support of the Irish peace process. "Canadians and the Canadian government, as well as Irish people here, have had a part in the international contribution to building peace and justice in my country," he told reporters in Toronto. Similar groups have been set up in the United States and Australia.

Nov. 6, 2001:

Trimble is re-elected first minister of Northern Ireland's power-sharing government. Roman Catholic Mark Durkan is elected deputy first minister. The elections will allow the executive to resume the power-sharing arrangement set up under the 1998 Good Friday accord.

2000

Jan. 31, 2000:

According to a committee report, the IRA has not begun decommissioning its weapons.

Feb. 11, 2000:

The British government suspends Northern Ireland's power-sharing cabinet in Belfast because of IRA disarmament refusals.

May 6, 2000:

The IRA says it will begin to "put its weapons beyond use" after the Irish and British governments push for a move. The IRA says it will put the arms in storage as long as the agreement is officially implemented.

May 30, 2000:

The British government lifts its suspension of Northern Ireland's power-sharing cabinet.

Nov. 16, 2000:

Sinn Fein begins a legal challenge of David Trimble's ban on its members taking part in ministerial councils.

A schoolgirl walks past graffiti in the Republican area of Newlodge in North Belfast, Northern Ireland, Nov.17, 1999. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

1999

Jan. 27, 1999:

Eamon Collins, who defected from the IRA and wrote a book about the murders he and others committed, is stabbed and bludgeoned to death.

Feb. 16, 1999:

The Northern Ireland Assembly votes in favour of an all-party cabinet. A deadline for forming a democratically-elected assembly is set for March 10, then extended to April 2.

May 15, 1999:

Weeks of disarmament talks between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the IRA end without agreement. Blair sets June 30 as an "absolute deadline" for resolution.

June 30, 1999:

Blair's deadline for resolution of the disarmament talks passes. He agrees to an extension.

July 12, 1999:

The Orange Order cuts back on its annual marches commemorating the Protestant victory in the Battle of the Boyne (July 1690) in light of boosted British security.

Aug. 14, 1999:

The IRA rejects a disarmament proposal set out by the Ulster Unionists.

Nov. 18, 1999:

The Ulster Unionist Council backs a plan by former U.S. senator George Mitchell to rescue the peace process and set up a power-sharing government.

Dec. 2, 1999:

The British government transfers power back to Northern Ireland that had been held by London since 1972, in the form of a power-sharing cabinet in Belfast.

Royal Ulster Constabulary police officers and firefighters inspect the damage caused by a bomb explosion in Market Street, Omagh, Northern Ireland, Aug. 15, 1998. Police confirmed 29 people, including children died. (AP Photo/Paul McErlane)

1998

April 10, 1998:

The governments of Britain and Ireland, along with eight political parties in Northern Ireland conjointly sign the Good Friday Agreement in Belfast. It is a landmark accord in the search for peace in Northern Ireland because of the clause that calls for "the decommissioning of illegally-held arms in the possession of paramilitary groups."

April 30, 1998:

The IRA issues a statement saying the Good Friday Agreement falls short of what will provide a lasting peace process and it has no plans to decommission its weapons.

May 22, 1998:

The Good Friday Agreement is put to a vote. The people of Northern Ireland and Ireland vote overwhelmingly in favour of the deal in two separate referendums.

Aug. 15, 1998:

A car bomb blast in the small Northern Ireland town of Omagh kills 29 and injures hundreds. The Real IRA, a splinter group of the faction, claims responsibility for this attack referred to as the worst in 30 years.

Dec. 11, 1998:

Ulster Unionist Party First Minister David Trimble and Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) Leader John Hume win the Nobel Peace Prize for working to implement the Good Friday Agreement.

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