Events from the year 2002 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Mary McAleese Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern (FF) Tánaiste: Mary Harney (PD) Minister for Finance: Charlie McCreevy (FF) Chief Justice: Ronan Keane Dáil: 28th (until 25 April 2002) 29th (from 6 June 2002) Seanad: 21st (until 26 June 2002) 22nd (from 12 September 2002) Events 1 January – The euro currency was introduced across the European Union, including Ireland. 9 January – Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev received the Freedom of the City of Dublin. 7 March – A referendum on a proposal to amend the Constitution to remove the threat of suicide as a ground for legal abortion was narrowly defeated. 13 March – The ferry was introduced on the Fishguard–Rosslare route. 21 March – The third Coimisiún na Gaeltachta published its report on strengthening the role of the Irish language in the Gaeltacht. 2 April – Brendan Comiskey, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Ferns, resigned after criticism of his handling of abuse cases in the diocese. 5 April – The first recruits of the new Police Service of Northern Ireland graduated. 17 May – The Fianna Fáil-Progressive Democrats coalition was re-elected in the general election. It was the first government to be re-elected since 1969. Fianna Fáil achieved 80 seats, just four short of an overall majority. Fine Gael lost 23 seats, and the Labour Party remained static. Increased support for Sinn Féin resulted in four extra TDs. Michael Noonan resigned as leader of Fine Gael and Ruairi Quinn resigned as leader of the Labour Party. 1 June – The national football team began its 2002 FIFA World Cup campaign. 11 October – Geraldine Kennedy was appointed the first female editor of The Irish Times. 14 October – As of midnight the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive were suspended by order of the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. 19 October – Irish voters accepted the Treaty of Nice in the second referendum held on the issue. Arts and literature February – Sebastian Barry's satire Hinterland, based on the life of Charles Haughey, premièred at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, causing controversy. 10 August – Niall Bruton's sculpture "Waiting on Shore" was unveiled at Rosses Point. 26 September – Five Old Master paintings from the Alfred Beit collection were stolen from Russborough House, the fourth major art theft from this location. 25 October – Peter Mullan's film The Magdalene Sisters was