§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) if he will state the circumstances in which Robert Henry Gillespie, a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, of Millex, Ballygawley, County Tyrone, was shot and killed;
(2) if he will state the time on Saturday, 20th May, 1972 when an Army Land Rover picked up Mr. Gillespie at his home at Mollex, Ballygawley, County Tyrone; at what time he was shot and killed; and why the Land Rover had no escort.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithAt about 9.20 a.m. on 20th May an Army Land Rover carrying two officers and two soldiers called at the house of Lance-Corporal Gillespie to transport him to Headquarters, 8 Ulster Defence Regiment at Dungannon.
At about 9.40 a.m. the vehicle was ambushed on the Aughnacloy/Dungannon road. Two shots were fired from high ground to the left of the vehicle and as it accelerated away a further three shots were fired, one hitting Lance- 4W Corporal Gillespie. He died in hospital at about 10.15 a.m.
The Land Rover was fitted with protective materials, all the occupants were armed and one of the soldiers was acting as guard, but no other Army vehicle was present. These arrangements were in accordance with the normal practice for patrols operating in that area in daylight.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence (1) why, on Friday, 19th May, 1972, Lieutenant-Colonel Blackwell, Officer Commanding Sixth Battalion, Ulster Defence Regiment, told Mr. Gillespie to report to Kellyneal House at 10 a.m. on Saturday, 20th May, 1972;
- (2) why Mr. Gillespie was not made to appear before his own company commander at Aughnacloy but rather before Colonel Blackwell at Dungannon; and if he is satisfied if he had appeared at Aughnacloy he would not have been shot and killed;
- (3) how many members of the Ulster Defence Regiment have since 20th May, 1972, been charged at Dungannon; and how many at Aughnacloy.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithMr. Gillespie appeared before his company commander at Aughnacloy in the first instance; he was remanded to appear before the battalion commander at Dungannon. Since 20th May, 1972, there have been 16 such remands; all—including the case of Mr. Gillespie—originated at company level, three from Aughnacloy and 13 in the Dungannon companies.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what was the charge which Mr. Gillespie was to answer on Saturday, 20th May.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe charge related to absence from guard duty.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence why Mr. Gillespie was made to appear at 10 o'clock on Saturday, 20th May, 1972, on a charge when in fact he had just completed eight hours' guard duty; and if he will ensure that in the future no member of the Ulster Defence Regiment will have to 5W appear on any charge until a reasonable time is given for rest after guard duty.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe time and place for disciplinary hearings must be left to the commanding officer's discretion having regard to the availability of witnesses and others concerned. This is necessarily more difficult in a part-time force like the UDR.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence what was the amount of money owing by the Army to Mr. Gillespie when he was killed; why the payment of this money was delayed; and on what date the final payment was made to Mr. Gillespie's next of kin.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe amount owed by the Army to Mr. Gillespie at the time of his death was £142.96. I cannot accept that there was unreasonable delay; letters of administration were granted on 26th July and were seen in my Department on 28th July. Payment was made to Mr. Gillespie's father on 2nd August.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence for what period of time Mr. Gillespie served in the Irish Guards; and where he served.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithFrom 1962–68; in the United Kingdom, the British Army of the Rhine and Aden.
§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Minister of State for Defence why a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment, acting under orders, visited Mr. Gillespie's home and removed the General Service Medal which Mr. Gillespie had been awarded for service in Aden; and who has the possession of the medal now.
§ Mr. G. Johnson SmithThe medal was removed in error with his military clothing and equipment. It is now held by the Army Medal Office at Droitwich and is being returned to his father.