Events from the year 1934 in Ireland. Incumbents Governor-General: Domhnall Ua Buachalla President of the Executive Council: Éamon de Valera (FF) Events 12 January – Republican Press Ltd. takes a High Court action against the Garda Síochána over the seizure of the An Phoblacht newspaper. 20 January – the funeral of the veteran nationalist Member of Parliament, Joseph Devlin, takes place in Belfast. 5 February – Dublin Corporation debates a letter from the Gaelic League asking for a ban on the broadcast of jazz music on the grounds that it is contrary to the spirit of Christianity and nationality. 7 February – discussions on the formation of a new Volunteer Force leads to an explosive debate in the Dáil. Civil War events are revisited and there are angry exchanges between deputies. 23 February – the Government introduces the Wearing of Uniform (Restriction) Bill 1934. Cumann na nGaedheal opposes what is soon dubbed The Blueshirts Bill. 26 February – 300 pupils from the Christian Brothers schools in Thurles go on strike as a protest against the wearing of blue shirts by a number of their classmates. They parade through the town singing The Soldiers Song. 2 March – the Wearing of Uniform (Restriction) Bill is carried in the Dáil by 80 votes to 60. W. T. Cosgrave condemns the Bill and predicts its failure. 10 March – the National Athletic and Cycling Association decides to ban women from taking part in events and meetings. 17 March – a socialist motion put to the Irish Republican Army convention in Dublin is lost. 18 March – General Eoin O'Duffy addresses 2,500 Blueshirts in Trim Market Square. 27 March – the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake receives a blow when the Betting and Lotteries Act is passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, prohibiting the sale of lottery tickets in the UK. 7–8 April: Republican Congress first meets in Athlone, formed from disaffected socialist ex-members of the Irish Republican Army. 9 April – W. W. McDowell, US Minister to Ireland, dies at a State banquet in his honour at Dublin Castle, between President Éamon de Valera and Mrs. Sinéad de Valera. 2 May – an application to obtain permission for deposed Soviet leader Leon Trotsky to live in Ireland has failed. August–October – newspaper strike in Dublin. September – the Republican Congress, at its first annual meeting (held at Rathmines), suffers a split on policy.