24 January –Amnesty Northern Ireland condemned as "utterly unjustified" and an "interference with freedom of speech and artistic expression" the cancellation of a comedy play by the Reduced Shakespeare Company calledThe Bible: The Complete Word Of God (Abridged) due to be performed in the Theatre at the Mill inNewtownabbey because of blasphemy alleged bythe borough council led by theDemocratic Unionist Party.[2]
4 May – Gerry Adams was released without charge after four days in police custody. It was decided to send a file to thePublic Prosecution Service, which would decide if criminal charges should be brought.[5]
1 July – AKu Klux Klan flag was taken down from a lamppost inBallymacarrett in East Belfast. Its erection was condemned by politicians from a variety of political parties.[7]
23 December -David Cameron agreed to a subsidy of £2 billion to help preserve local welfare budgets. PresidentBarack Obama congratulated '..all the leaders involved who, once again, have shown that when there is a will and the courage to overcome the issues that have divided the people of Northern Ireland, there is a way to succeed for the benefit of all. '[8]
