11 November - The killing of three unarmed IRA members at an RUC checkpoint in Craigavon, County Armagh.
24 November - The killing, by an RUC undercover unit, of Michael Tighe and the wounding of his friend Martin McCauley at an IRA arms cache on a farm near Lurgan, County Armagh.
12 December - The killing at an RUC checkpoint in Mullacreavie, County Armagh, of two INLA members, Seamus Grew and Roddy Carroll. The shootings are initially investigated by other members of the RUC, and the Director of Public Prosecutions for Northern Ireland decides to bring prosecutions. At the first trial, Constable John Robinson admits to having been instructed to lie in his statements, and that other witnesses had similarly altered their stories to provide justification for opening fire on Grew and Carroll. When Robinson is found not guilty, the resulting public outcry causes RUC Chief Constable John Hermon to ask John Stalker to investigate the killings. On 5 June 1986, just before Stalker is to make his final report, he is removed from his position in charge of the inquiry.
Joey Dunlop wins the Formula One motorcycle world championship for the first time.
Rugby Union
The Ireland rugby team wins the Triple Crown for the first time since 1949 by beating Scotland 21-12 on 21 February, having already beaten Wales and England.
Snooker
Alex Higgins wins the World Professional Snooker Championship for the second time.
