Events from the year 1983 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Patrick Hillery Taoiseach: Garret FitzGerald (FG) Tánaiste: Dick Spring (Lab) Minister for Finance: Alan Dukes (FG) Chief Justice: Tom O'Higgins Dáil: 24th Seanad: 17th (from 23 February 1983) Events January – The satirical magazine The Phoenix was launched. 19 January – The government confirmed that the Garda Síochána bugged politicians' and journalists' telephones. 8 February – A motion calling for the resignation of Charles Haughey as leader failed after a 12-hour Fianna Fáil meeting. 9 February – The racehorse Shergar was kidnapped from Ballymany Stud in County Kildare. 14 April – The inaugural meeting of Aosdána, an affiliation of creative artists, took place in the Old Parliament Building in Dublin. 23 April – While more than 50 illegal pirate radio stations were broadcasting in Ireland, a Government memorandum described how their signals were interfering seriously with ambulance, fire brigade and police radio systems, airport traffic systems, and legitimate radio and television reception throughout the country. The document also referred to complaints received from other countries. The following month, equipment was seized from Radio Nova, Kiss FM and Radio Sunshine. Equipment was also removed from Community Radio 257 in Portmarnock in December. 25 April – Two thousand people demonstrated in Dublin against the proposed Pro-Life Amendment Bill (abortion). 18 May – Officials raided sites used by unlicensed operator Radio Nova in Dublin. 20 May – The funeral took place of former Tánaiste, Frank Aiken, in his native Camlough. 23 May – The Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim celebrated its 350th anniversary. 27 May – A Mexican jet stranded for five weeks at Mallow Racecourse departed. 30 May – The inaugural meeting of the New Ireland Forum took place at Dublin Castle. 10 June – Gerry Adams of Sinn Féin was elected the new Member of Parliament for West Belfast. 4 July – United States Vice President George Bush and his wife Barbara paid a one-day visit to Dublin. The Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald, hosted a lunch in his honour at the State Apartments in Dublin Castle. 31 July – Eight young men attending the Lisdoonvarna music festival drowned while swimming at Doolin. September – The Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, paid a three-day state visit to Ireland with his wife, Sally. A guard of honour from the 5th Infantry Battalion greeted him at Dublin Airport, and the Army No. 1 Band played.