2009

In 2009, Thierry Henry's controversial handball prevented Ireland from reaching the World Cup. Irish rugby celebrated its first Grand Slam in 61 years, while Leinster won the Heineken Cup. American pilot Chesley Sullenberger became a hero after safely crash-landing US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River. Ireland faced devastating floods, especially in Cork. The country launched an H1N1 vaccination campaign, and Pat Kenny stepped down from The Late Late Show. Ireland voted 'Yes' to the Lisbon Treaty, but public outrage followed the release of reports on child abuse by the State and Church. Michael Jackson and Stephen Gately passed away, and Barack Obama was inaugurated as U.S. President. Amid financial turmoil, Ireland nationalized Anglo Irish Bank and introduced NAMA to address a banking crisis.