HC Deb 01 July 1971 vol 820 cc174-7W
Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army investigated a bomb explosion in Drumcliffe Avenue, Bogside, Londonderry, on Sunday, 27th June; what action they took with a crowd who threw stones; and what arrests were made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

In the early hours of 27th June the Army were called on to help to deal with a small group of youths who were stoning the R.U.C. and attempting to erect a barricade in Rossville Street. During the incident a car was damaged in Drumcliffe Avenue by a bomb which exploded under its bonnet. One arrest was made.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances a gelignite bomb was thrown at two Army land rovers at the Monagh Road/Springfield Road, Belfast, on Sunday, 27th June; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At around midnight on 26th–27th June two sticks of gelignite of approximately one pound each were thrown at an Army mobile patrol at the Monagh / Springfield roundabout. Despite a search in the area no arrests were made at the time by the Army.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence (1) what searches the Army have made for arms, etc., in various parts of Northern Ireland outside Belfast during the last three weeks; what have been the result of these searches; in what particular areas arms, etc., have been located; and what is the total number of arrests made;

(2) what searches the Army have made for arms, etc., in various parts of Belfast during the last three weeks; what the results of these searches have been; in what particular areas arms, etc., have been located; and what is the total number of arrests made.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

In the period between 10th and 30th June the Army has continued to search vehicles, buildings, tunnels, bridges and areas of country both within and outside the Belfast area. An aircraft was also searched. In addition to uncovering quantities of ammunition, explosive material and some firearms the searches have made it more difficult for terrorists to mount attacks. The searches have also helped in stressing the importance of strict adherence to regulations regarding the legal use of explosives.

Within Belfast arms, explosive material and ammunition have been found in the Falls, Shankill, Ballymacarrett and Windsor areas. Outside Belfast there have been finds in Londonderry, on the river Bann near Portadown Road Bridge, in Castlederg, and near the following places:

Killeen. Cromlin.
Pomroy. Keady.
Dungannon. Newry.
Dromore. Ballykelly.
Omagh. Derrygonnelly.
Beragh.

The total numbers of arrests by the Army in this period were 32 in Belfast and 15 elsewhere. Of these numbers five in Belfast and six elsewhere related to the illegal possession of explosive substances.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army was called to Bearnlagh Drive, Andersanstown, Belfast, after a Royal Ulster Constabulary land rover had been ripped with six bullets from an Irish Republican Army gunman using a fast moving car; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

The Army were informed that shortly before midnight on 24th–25th June a Royal Ulster Constabulary land rover patrol was investigating a traffic accident in Bearnlagh Drive, when a car approached from Glen Road whose occupants fired six rounds into the land rover. The car then drove away in the direction of the motorway. There were no casualties.

In the circumstances the sealing off of the area by the Army and the carrying out of searches was not appropriate. No arrests were made by the Army and the identity of the assailants has yet to be established.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances the Army were called to the Raven Bar, Ravenhill Road, Belfast, in the early morning of Friday, 25th June after a bomb explosion; at what time the explosion occurred; at what time the Army arrived; what was the result of their investigation; whether the area was sealed off; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Shortly after the explosion, which occurred at 12.30 a.m. on 25th June, Army technical experts made the appropriate safety and forensic searches, the area having first been cleared. These revealed that a charge of two to five pounds of high explosive had been used. No arrests were made by the Army at the time of the incident.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances a patrol of the Royal Scots was fired on near Stabane, Northern Ireland, on Sunday, 27th June; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

Army records do not confirm that such an incident occurred.

Rev. Ian Paisley

asked the Minister of State for Defence under what circumstances an Army sentry was fired at while doing duty on the roof of Pomeroy Royal Ulster Constabulary Station, Northern Ireland; whether he returned fire; what searches were made; and what arrests resulted.

Mr. G. Johnson Smith

At 1.30 a.m. on 27th June a vehicle from which shots were believed to have been fired at Pomeroy R.U.C. Station was pursued. Road blocks were also established, but the vehicle has not so far been found.