December 2004 in Britain and Ireland

22 December 2004

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) investigate a suspected incendiary attack on a shop in Ballymena, County Antrim. The incident is the sixth such suspected attack in four days; a major blaze occurred at a B&Q shop on Monday. It is thought a campaign by dissident republicans may be to blame. (RTÉ)(RTÉ)
Irish president Mary McAleese refers the Health (Amendment) (No 2) Bill to the Supreme Court of Ireland to have its constitutionality tested, after advice from her Council of State. The bill seeks to retrospectively legalise automatic pension deductions from pensioners in state care. (Irish Times - eircom.net) (2)
After talking to troops in Baghdad, British Prime Minister Tony Blair continues his tour of the Middle East, visiting Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. The leaders discuss Israel's likely withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. (BBC)
Police are given new roadside powers to test drivers they suspect of being under the influence of drugs. (BBC)
Detectives are examining the burnt out remains of a car which may have been used as a part of Monday's bank robbery in Belfast. (BBC)
The inquiry by Sir Alan Budd into former Home Secretary David Blunkett's conduct over a "fast tracked" visa application has failed to clear him of abusing his position. (Reuters)