§ Mr. IngramTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many members of the armed forces serving in Northern Ireland have been(a) charged with and (b) convicted of murder in the Province in each of the last 10 years;
(2) what was the interval between date of charge and date of trial in respect of each member of the armed forces serving in Northern Ireland charged with murder in the Province in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mr. HanleySince 1974, 11 members of the armed forces have been charged with murder while on duty in Northern Ireland. Two service men have been found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, while two service men are still awaiting trial.
The table shows those charged with murder in the last 10 years and the interval between the date of the charge and the date of the trial:
103W
Year Personnel involved Charge date Trial date Delay from charging to trial Finding 1982 2 soldiers Not available 6 September 1983 Not available Both acquitted 1983 1 soldier 10 August 1983 11 November 1984 408 days Sentenced to life imprisonment —released on parole 27 February 1987 1990 1 soldier 31 July 1991 9 March 1993 588 days Sentenced to life imprisonment —appeal to be heard 1994 1990 2 service men 5 February 1992 8 November 1993 643 days Not guilty 1992 2 soldiers 5 September 1992 Set for April 1994 503 days as at 20 January 1994 —