Events in the year 1972 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Éamon de Valera Taoiseach: Jack Lynch (FF) Tánaiste: Erskine H. Childers (FF) Minister for Finance: George Colley (FF) Chief Justice: Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh Dáil: 19th Seanad: 12th Events 1 January – The Central Bank of Ireland became the banker of the Government of Ireland in succession to the Bank of Ireland in accordance with the Central Bank Act 1971, completing its transition from a currency board to a fully operating central bank. 22 January – Taoiseach, Jack Lynch, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Patrick Hillery, signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Communities. 29 January – The annual broadcasting Jacob's Awards took place in Dublin. 30 January – Bloody Sunday: Thirteen unarmed civilians were shot dead in Derry when British soldiers shot at civil rights marchers. 31 January – The Taoiseach announced a national day of mourning following the events in Derry the previous day. 1 February – Rioting took place in Dublin. The British Embassy in Merrion Square was burned. 9 February – A day of disruption took place in Northern Ireland as people took to the streets in protest. 10 February – The Irish Republican Army (IRA) announced a ceasefire. 12 February – William Craig launched the Ulster Vanguard movement in Lisburn. 19 February – The National Anti-European Economic Community (EEC) Committee organised a march along O'Connell Street in Dublin. 26 February – Crowds turned out to see the footballer Pelé and his Brazilian club, Santos FC, play at Dalymount Park in Dublin. 30 March – UK Prime Minister Edward Heath dissolved the Parliament of Northern Ireland and imposed Direct Rule over Northern Ireland. 2 April – The Irish-language radio channel RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta commenced broadcasting. 17 April – The government launched its European Economic Community referendum campaign to persuade citizens to join the EEC. 5 May – The Regional Technical College, Carlow became the first Regional Technical College to install a computer. It was to be used for business and engineering courses; it used the Fortran and RPG languages and cost IR£10,000. 10 May – In the referendum on Ireland's membership of the EEC the poll was almost five-to-one in favour. 13 June – The Garda Síochána (police force) celebrated its 50th anniversary. 6 July – Dmitri Shostakovich was presented with an honorary Doctor of Music (D.Mus.) degree at a ceremony in Trinity College Dublin. 12