After the sudden death of Erskine Childers, Cearbhall ó Dálaigh becomes the fifth President of Ireland. 1974 sees a major bus strike in Dublin. Dubliners find different ways of getting around. The Army is brought in to provide transport. Normal service resumes after nine weeks. At the World Cup Final in Munich, West Germany beat Holland 2-1. U.S. President Richard Nixon fights the 'Watergate' scandal. He is implicated in political 'dirty tricks' , including attempts to 'bug' opponents and covering up a break-in. The President also loses legal battles in the U.S. Congress and Supreme Court . Faced with impeachment, Richard Nixon resigns. Richard Nixon becomes the first U.S. President to resign office. EUROVISION SONG CONTEST Brighton, 6 April - Once Abba take the stage, the rest is history... The musical 'Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat' is the biggest stage hit in Dublin this year. The cast includes a young comedian and singer Brendan Grace. At the Gulf Oil terminal on Whiddy Island a tanker spills crude oil into Bantry Bay. Locals are angry at the lack of measures to prevent the oil spill. DUBLIN 17 May Loyalists explode three car bombs without warning as the streets are busy with people on a Friday evening. The death toll rises to thirty-three after another car bomb explodes in Monaghan. In the history of Ireland's Troubles, it is the highest-ever number of people killed on one day. No-one is ever arrested for the the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. CYPRUS 20 July Turkish armed forces invade the island. The attack follows a military coup by Greek officers. Turkey claims it is acting to protect its population on the island. The war divides the state of Cyprus in two. Having begun his career in showbands during the Sixties, Rory Gallagher is now one of Ireland's most successful international musicians. 1974 sees another sellout concert tour by the Corkman. Nell McCafferty brings a new style of campaigning journalism