Events during the year 1999 in Northern Ireland. Incumbents First Minister - David Trimble deputy First Minister - Seamus Mallon Secretary of State - Mo Mowlam (until 11 October), Peter Mandelson (from 11 October) Events 15 March - Rosemary Nelson, a Lurgan solicitor, is killed in a car bomb attack by loyalist paramilitary group the Red Hand Defenders. April - Senator George Mitchell Peace Bridge opened across the Border. 14 May - The fully renovated St George's Market in Belfast reopens its doors. 21 October - Peter Mandelson arrives in Belfast as the new Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. 29 November - Ten designated ministers are appointed to the power-sharing executive of the Northern Ireland Assembly. 2 December - The Irish Government ratifies changes to Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution. Direct rule from Westminster in Northern Ireland ends. 13 December - The first meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council takes place in Armagh. Nuala O'Loan is appointed as first Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland. Arts and literature Ciaran Carson publishes The Ballad of HMS Belfast: A Compendium of Belfast Poems. Seamus Heaney publishes a verse translation of Beowulf from the Old English. Glenn Patterson publishes his novel The International. Sport Athletics The 27th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 27–28 March in Belfast. Football Ulster Senior Football Championship Winners: Armagh Ulster Senior Club Football Championship Winners: Crossmaglen Rangers Irish League Winners: Glentoran Irish Cup Winners: Portadown (as Cliftonville were disqualified) Golf The Amateur Championship is held at Royal County Down Golf Club, (winner:Graeme Storm). Births 29 May - Feargal Mellon, Plumber Deaths January to June 11 January - Brian Moore, novelist (b.1921). 15 January - Robert Lowry, Baron Lowry, Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland (b.1919). 28 January - Markey Robinson, artist (b.1918). 15 March - Rosemary Nelson, solicitor killed by loyalist paramilitary group. 4 April - Sir James Flanagan, first and only Roman Catholic Chief Constable of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. (b.1914). 3 May - Paddy Kennedy, Republican Labour Party Councillor and MP (b.1942). 6 June - Billy Brown, musician and artist (b.1943). 29 June - Declan Mulholland, actor (b.1932). July to December 1 July - William Whitelaw, 1st Viscount Whitelaw, first Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. 15 August - Paddy Devlin, a founder of the SDLP, a member of the 1974 Power Sharing Executive and author (b.1925). 21 August - Noel Larmour, cricketer