Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Attorney-General how many persons have been charged with attacks on the security forces in Northern Ireland during 1974 and 1975; how many persons have been charged with bombings in Northern Ireland in the same periods; of those charged in each year and category, how many of the charges were later reduced, or withdrawn; how 523W many persons were found not guilty; and how many convicted of the original charge.
§ The Attorney-GeneralSeparate records are not kept of prosecutions arising out of attacks on the security forces, which cover a wide variety of offences ranging from murder to common assault, and this information could not be extracted without disproportionate expense.
In relation to bombings, 461 persons were tried at Belfast City Commission during the years 1974 and 1975 with offences arising out of the unlawful use or possession of explosives, including charges of murder, attempted murder, manslaughter and offences contrary to the Explosive Substances Act 1883.
Of these 461 persons, nolle prosequis were entered in respect of 50 persons. 303 persons were convicted of the principal charge preferred against them; 87 persons were acquitted of the principal charge preferred against them; of the 137 persons who were acquitted of the principal charge or where nolle prosequis were entered to this charge, 83 persons were convicted of scheduled offences other than the principal charge.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Attorney-General how many persons have been charged with murder in Northern Ireland in 1974 and in 1975; how many of these charges were later reduced; how many were withdrawn; how many persons have been convicted; and how many were found not guilty.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe available figures relate to the results of cases in which persons were originally charged with the offence of scheduled murder, and which were tried between 8th August 1973 and 23rd March 1976.
During that period charges against 186 persons were either disposed of at Belfast City Commission or withdrawn at magistrates' courts.
Of these 186 persons—
15 charges of murder were withdrawn entirely at magistrates' courts;
27 further charges of murder were withdrawn and replaced by scheduled offences other than murder;
92 persons were convicted of murder;
23 persons were acquitted of murder;
Nolle prosequis were entered in the cases of 29 persons;
524WOf the 79 persons who were acquitted or whose charges were reduced, or in respect of whose cases nolle prosequis were entered to the main charge of murder, 46 persons were convicted of charges other than murder but which were invariably of a serious nature and arose out of the planning or execution of murder or providing aid for the principal parties prior to or following the commission of the crime.