Events from the year 1994 in Ireland. Incumbents President: Mary Robinson Taoiseach: Albert Reynolds (FF) (until 15 December 1994) John Bruton (FG) (from 15 December 1994) Tánaiste: Dick Spring (Lab) (until 17 November 1994) Bertie Ahern (FF) (from 17 November 1994 until 15 December 1994) Dick Spring (Lab) (from 15 December 1994) Minister for Finance: Bertie Ahern (FF) (until 15 December 1994) Ruairi Quinn (Lab) (from 15 December 1994) Chief Justice: Thomas Finlay (until 16 March 1994) Liam Hamilton (from 22 March 1994) Dáil: 27th Seanad: 20th Events 14 April – The Central Bank issued a new £5 note featuring Catherine McAuley. 30 April – Ireland won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Rock 'n' Roll Kids. The stepdance show Riverdance performed its world premiere during the interval. 20 May - The fourth People In Need Telethon was held. 26 May – Jack Charlton, manager of the Irish football team since 1986, was awarded the freedom of Dublin City. 6 June – Irish D-Day Normandy landings veterans joined Allied leaders at a 50th commemorative ceremony on Omaha Beach. 18 June – Ireland's football World Cup campaign began with a 1–0 win over Italy, one of the favourites to win the tournament. Ray Houghton scored the winning goal. 24 June – Ireland's chances of progressing to the last 16 of the World Cup were left hanging in the balance when they lost 2–1 to Mexico, with John Aldridge scoring the consolation goal. 28 June – Ireland qualified for the next stage of the World Cup with a goalless draw against Norway. 4 July – Ireland were knocked out of the World Cup by the Netherlands when they lost 2–0 in Orlando. 26 July – The Minister for Education, Niamh Bhreathnach, pledged the introduction of free third-level education for everyone over the next three years. 31 August – The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) announced a complete cessation of military operations. 1 September – Transition Year was introduced mainstream to secondary schools. 6 September – Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, John Hume and Gerry Adams held a historic meeting at Government Buildings in Dublin and pledged their commitment to the democratic idea. 30 September – Taoiseach Albert Reynolds and members of the Government waited at Shannon Airport to greet Russian President Boris Yeltsin. He failed to leave the aircraft to meet them and created a diplomatic incident. 13 October – Loyalist paramilitary groups