Northern Ireland

2018: The year as drawn by Ian Knox

From Brexit to RHI, and from Ian Paisley to Pope Francis, it has been a year rich in material for Irish News cartoonist Ian Knox. Here is the story of 2018 as told in his inimitable style

As 12-hour waits in A&E nearly triple in a year, the prospect of Brexit sees applications for Irish passports surge
As 12-hour waits in A&E nearly triple in a year, the prospect of Brexit sees applications for Irish passports surge As 12-hour waits in A&E nearly triple in a year, the prospect of Brexit sees applications for Irish passports surge

JANUARY

As 12-hour waits in A&E nearly triple in a year, the prospect of Brexit sees applications for Irish passports surge
As 12-hour waits in A&E nearly triple in a year, the prospect of Brexit sees applications for Irish passports surge As 12-hour waits in A&E nearly triple in a year, the prospect of Brexit sees applications for Irish passports surge

FEBRUARY

Outpourings of cross-community love on St Valentine's Day are limited at Stormont as talks to restore power-sharing collapse 
Outpourings of cross-community love on St Valentine's Day are limited at Stormont as talks to restore power-sharing collapse  Outpourings of cross-community love on St Valentine's Day are limited at Stormont as talks to restore power-sharing collapse 

MARCH

While Karen Bradley dithers over demands for MLA pay cuts during Cheltenham week, the shadow of the major political issue looms
While Karen Bradley dithers over demands for MLA pay cuts during Cheltenham week, the shadow of the major political issue looms While Karen Bradley dithers over demands for MLA pay cuts during Cheltenham week, the shadow of the major political issue looms

APRIL

On the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a former US president and former senator join some of the main players in the Northern Ireland peace process for a unique occasion 
On the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a former US president and former senator join some of the main players in the Northern Ireland peace process for a unique occasion  On the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, a former US president and former senator join some of the main players in the Northern Ireland peace process for a unique occasion 

MAY

Not much trust between councils and bonfire organisers as rows over licensing schemes begin
Not much trust between councils and bonfire organisers as rows over licensing schemes begin Not much trust between councils and bonfire organisers as rows over licensing schemes begin

JUNE

Arlene Foster's outreach to the LGBT community starts well but finishes less so. Meanwhile Ulster fries
Arlene Foster's outreach to the LGBT community starts well but finishes less so. Meanwhile Ulster fries Arlene Foster's outreach to the LGBT community starts well but finishes less so. Meanwhile Ulster fries

JULY

Unlike the House of Commons which is expected to impose a severe punishment on Ian Paisley, his party, according to one spokesman, considers he has been "punished enough"
Unlike the House of Commons which is expected to impose a severe punishment on Ian Paisley, his party, according to one spokesman, considers he has been "punished enough" Unlike the House of Commons which is expected to impose a severe punishment on Ian Paisley, his party, according to one spokesman, considers he has been "punished enough"

AUGUST

The multitudinous faithful who greeted the towering figure of Pope John Paul II when he was welcomed to Ireland by Taoiseach Jack Lynch in 1979 is greatly reduced when Pope Francis is received by a very different kind of Taoiseach in 2018 
The multitudinous faithful who greeted the towering figure of Pope John Paul II when he was welcomed to Ireland by Taoiseach Jack Lynch in 1979 is greatly reduced when Pope Francis is received by a very different kind of Taoiseach in 2018  The multitudinous faithful who greeted the towering figure of Pope John Paul II when he was welcomed to Ireland by Taoiseach Jack Lynch in 1979 is greatly reduced when Pope Francis is received by a very different kind of Taoiseach in 2018 

SEPTEMBER

When questioned at the RHI Inquiry as to why his house was heated by a non-domestic boiler in an adjacent shed, Stephen Brimstone explains that a purpose of the shed was to shelter sheep if necessary
When questioned at the RHI Inquiry as to why his house was heated by a non-domestic boiler in an adjacent shed, Stephen Brimstone explains that a purpose of the shed was to shelter sheep if necessary When questioned at the RHI Inquiry as to why his house was heated by a non-domestic boiler in an adjacent shed, Stephen Brimstone explains that a purpose of the shed was to shelter sheep if necessary

OCTOBER

The mask of compatibility explodes with DUP threats to withdraw support to Theresa May. The future of both party leaders is openly discussed 
The mask of compatibility explodes with DUP threats to withdraw support to Theresa May. The future of both party leaders is openly discussed  The mask of compatibility explodes with DUP threats to withdraw support to Theresa May. The future of both party leaders is openly discussed 

NOVEMBER

Jeffrey Donaldson's admonishment to farmers and business people to read Theresa’s Brexit deal before expressing satisfaction seems rich from a party whose leader conspicuously failed to read the RHI legislation
Jeffrey Donaldson's admonishment to farmers and business people to read Theresa’s Brexit deal before expressing satisfaction seems rich from a party whose leader conspicuously failed to read the RHI legislation Jeffrey Donaldson's admonishment to farmers and business people to read Theresa’s Brexit deal before expressing satisfaction seems rich from a party whose leader conspicuously failed to read the RHI legislation

DECEMBER

A beleaguered Theresa May challenges Jeremy Corbyn to a TV debate before the parliamentary  vote on her EU withdrawal deal
A beleaguered Theresa May challenges Jeremy Corbyn to a TV debate before the parliamentary vote on her EU withdrawal deal A beleaguered Theresa May challenges Jeremy Corbyn to a TV debate before the parliamentary vote on her EU withdrawal deal

To see more of Ian Knox's cartoons click here.