Events from the year 1991 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Mary Robinson Taoiseach: Charles Haughey (FF) Tánaiste: John Wilson (FF) Minister for Finance: Albert Reynolds (FF) (until 7 November 1991) Charles Haughey (FF) (from 7 November 1991 until 14 November 1991) Bertie Ahern (FF) (from 14 November 1991) Chief Justice: Thomas Finlay Dáil: 26th Seanad: 19th Events 1 January – Limerick city celebrated 300 years of the Treaty of Limerick. 17 January – There was controversy as the Government allowed United States military aircraft bound for the Gulf War to refuel at Shannon Airport. 24 January – The new Government Buildings in the renovated College of Science were officially opened. 7 February – The Irish Republican Army (IRA) fired mortar bombs at 10 Downing Street in London. 14 March – After being wrongfully jailed for 16 years, the Birmingham Six were freed. 15 March – The Sugar Act provided for privatisation of Cómhlucht Siúicre Éireann, Teoranta, the state-owned sugar beet processor, as Greencore. 16 March – Dublin was officially inaugurated as the year's European Capital of Culture. 22 March – The President, Mary Robinson, against pressure not to do so from the Taoiseach, Charles Haughey, visited the Chester Beatty Library in Dublin where the Dalai Lama opened a Tibetan collection in the library. She was the only head of state in Europe to meet with him during his European trip. The Dalai Lama's first visit to Ireland was in 1973. 10 April – An unarmed IRA volunteer was shot dead in Downpatrick by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. 16 May - Eyre Square Centre opened in Galway. 17 May – First edition of the Liffey Champion, local newspaper for North County Kildare and Lucan. 26 June – The wrongful convictions of the Maguire Seven were quashed. 6 November – Kildare TD Seán Power proposed a no-confidence motion in Taoiseach Charles Haughey's leadership. 7 November – the Minister for Finance, Albert Reynolds, was dismissed from the government over his intention to support the no-confidence motion. 13 November – Jim McDaid, the new Defence Minister, resigned following criticism from the Opposition over his attendance at an IRA funeral. 21 November – Three crew members of the M.V. Kilkenny were drowned as a result of a collision between the Kilkenny and the M.V. Hassel Werder in Dublin Bay. 6 December – Dublin Bus began its 'Nitelink' night bus service, aimed at facilitating revellers returning home