The Star Trek episode predicting ‘Irish unification of 2024’ that was banned for decades

It was originally broadcast in the US in 1990, but there was so much concern over the scene that the episode was not shown on RTÉ or the BBC

Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard in 'Star Trek: The Next Generation'. Teleporting was often depicted on the show. Photo: CBS

Neasa Cumiskey

A Star Trek episode referencing “Irish unification” is causing a stir almost three decades after airing.

The episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, titled The High Ground, featured a scene in which the android character Data, played by actor Brent Spiner, mentions the "Irish unification of 2024" as an example of violence successfully achieving a political aim.