On This Week: Irish moments from history (April 13th - 19th)
Welcome to On This Week, where we delve into the standout stories from the years gone by, featuring standout news stories, major sporting events, and pop culture highlights that helped shape Irish life. Here's your dose of Irish history from April 13th - 19th.
This week in Irish life and news
1984: the Kerry Babies
On 14th April 1984, the body of a newborn baby boy was found near Cahersiveen in County Kerry. The body was found abandoned on White Strand about three miles from the town and the baby was believed to have died about three days previously. The tragic discovery became headline news, as in this RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 April 1984. The newsreader is Colm Connolly.
The story that unfolded following the discovery of baby John involved further infantile deaths, allegations of murder and police corruption, and a tribunal. The Kerry Babies Tribunal raised many questions about corruption within the Garda Síochana as well as the treatment of unmarried mothers in Irish society at the time.
The Kerry Babies Tribunal was established to enquire into the events surrounding Joanne Hayes's confession to the murder of a baby found on Cahirciveen beach. A second dead baby was subsequently found on the Hayes family farm in Abbeydorney, County Kerry. All charges against Joanne Hayes and her family were ultimately dropped and the tribunal set out to enquire into the circumstances around Joanne Hayes's confession. In 2020 the Irish state formally apologised to Joanne Hayes for accusing her of the murder of the baby discovered at White Strand.
1988: The General strips outside the Four Courts
On April 14th 1988, Martin Cahill, the man who denied he was 'The General', appeared in court wearing a wig, false moustache and glasses. He appeared at the Four Courts accused of threatening to burn down the house of his elderly next door neighbours. Cahill, who had been at the centre of a four month Garda surveillance, used a decoy to try to fool photographers and cameramen.
Following the adjournment of his case, Martin Cahill left the court and issued a short statement to reporters. Wearing a balaclava, he sang and danced while removing his clothing to reveal a Mickey Mouse tee shirt and boxer shorts.
Martin Cahill was then arrested and later released. Shortly afterwards he spoke to reporter Una O'Hagan, who put it to him that if he were innocent of alleged crimes, he would not need to wear a balaclava. Martin Cahill did not agree, saying:
Maybe if I was guilty I probably wouldn’t. Seeing that I’m innocent, I do.
1994: the Vatican approves altar girls
On this week in 1994 the Vatican sent a letter to bishops around the world giving the seal of approval for altar girls. Altar girls were not entirely new to Ireland. Saint Fergal's Church in Bray, County Wicklow had actively sought out altar girls for the Sunday service. This practice attracted some criticism from both clergy and lay people. Rome's position had been that "females" were not allowed to act as altar servers. However, in April 1994 the Vatican confirmed that the practice could be performed by lay people, either male or female.
While this could be seen as a step forward for women within the church, the Vatican stressed that the new ruling would have no impact on the Catholic Church's continued opposition to the ordination of women. They were correct; 32 years later, women are still forbidden from becoming Catholic priests.
This RTÉ News report by Teresa Mannion was broadcast on 14 April 1994.
This week in arts and entertainment
1955: Ireland's first soap opera
Radio Éireann's first soap opera 'The Kennedys of Castleross' began on 14 April 1955, and you can hear an extract from the first episode here. The programme was sponsored by Fry Cadbury.
Among the large cast of 'The Kennedys of Castleross' were the actors Marie Kean, Pat Laffan and Philip O'Flynn. Mark Grantham was the main writer at the start of the series. Hugh Leonard, David Hanly and Kevin Fuller also wrote scripts for the show. The popular lunchtime series ran until 1975.
1999: Lyric FM prepares to launch
On April 19th 1999, the programme for Lyric FM, Ireland's new national radio station, was revealed, dedicated to classical music and the arts.
That month Lyric FM was getting ready to begin broadcasting from RTÉ's Limerick studios. A nationwide advertising campaign and test transmissions were underway ahead of the launch. Prime Time anchorman Eamon Lawlor would embark on a new career as a presenter of classical music.
In the report Helen Shaw, Director of Radio at RTÉ, outlined the reasons why another RTÉ channel has been set up specifically dedicated to classical music, while head of the new channel Seamus Crimmins explained what listeners to the news service can expect.
Basically classical. Core classical but also we will have American song, operetta, jazz, traditional world, new age but the core sound will be accessible classical music during day time hours.
Lyric FM would go on air from its Limerick studios on 1 May with a staff of thirty people alongside a number of freelance contributors. 27 years later, the station is still going strong. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
This week in sports
1998: Christina McGinty, a girl playing Gaelic Football
On 19th April 1988, the programme Evening Extra talked to Christina McGinty, who loved playing Gaelic football for Thomas Davis and Dublin. Christina, rom Old Bawn in Tallaght, had been playing Gaelic football for Tomas Davis since the age of eight. While girls playing Gaelic is now the norm, this wasn't the case back in the 1980s, and Christina played on teams with boys. In 1985 she became the first girl to captain a boys' team in a primary schools' football final in Croke Park, when Naomh Maolruan were the victors. Three years later she was still the only girl on her Thomas Davis team, coach Kevin Brennan has seen opponents taken aback at her high level of skills,
Sometimes they get a fright when they see her when they discover she's a girl.
Having always played football with friends on her road, Christina McGinty went down to Thomas Davis and played a few matches. When she then asked her parents if she could join the club, initially her father Christy said no, but then changed his mind. As a former Gaelic footballer who is originally from Achill Island, he was delighted by his daughter’s interest in the sport,
Any girl, I would definitely tell them to keep playing sport.
Christina’s mother Mary was equally supportive of her daughter, saying:
She enjoys herself. So she is a happy person if I tried to change it I’d spoil her outlook on life.
According to the report, the boys on all the other teams were used to her now, and for Christina McGinty there was only one thing that she wanted to do:
Keep playing football.
Advancing to the next level was the natural next step for this rising GAA star said Kevin Brennan:
She’s been chosen on...the Senior Dublin Ladies team.
McGinty would go on to captain Dublin's team multiple times and her inter-county career continued until 2002. In 2023 she was inducted into the Ladies Gaelic Football Association's Hall of Fame.
This episode of 'Evening Extra’ was broadcast on 19 April 1988. The reporter is Vincent Wall.
What was Number 1 in Ireland this week?
1983: 'Let's Dance' by David Bowie
One of Bowie's biggest hits in the 1980s, 'Let's Dance' was number one for two weeks in Paril 1983.
1992: 'Stay' by Shakespears Sister
This hit reached the top of the Irish charts on no fewer than four separate occasions in early 1992!
It first reached number one in February, before being bumped off the top spot for a single week by U2's 'One', before returning on two non-consecutive weeks in March and finally returning to number one for the last three weeks in April.
1995: 'Back For Good' by Take That
It remains one of the boy band's most beloved hits and it was number one for three weeks in 1995.
Famous Irish names celebrating birthdays this week
Ed Byrne
The comedian celebrates his 54th birthday on April 16th.
Eileen Walsh
The actor will be 49 on April 16th.
Michael D. Higgins
The poet and former President will be 85 on April 18th.
