HC Deb 05 February 1974 vol 868 cc281-3W
Mrs. McAliskey

asked the Attorney-General how many persons were charged with murder and attempted murder, respectively, of members of the security forces in Northern Ireland in 1973.

The Attorney-General

During 1973, 18 persons were charged with murder and 63 persons were charged with attempted murder of members of the security forces.

Mrs. McAliskey

asked the Attorney-General how many persons were charged with murder and attempted murder, respectively, of civilians in Northern Ireland in 1973.

The Attorney-General

During 1973, 84 persons were charged with murder and 46 with attempted murder of civilians.

Mrs. McAliskey

asked the Attorney-General, where charges have been brought in respect of murder or attempted murder of members of the security forces, in how many cases charges were dropped by the prosecution before the deposition stage and during the actual trial, respectively.

The Attorney-General

Two charges of murder and eight charges of attempted murder were withdrawn before the deposition stage. One charge of murder and 11 charges of attempted murder were withdrawn at the trial stage.

Mrs. McAliskey

asked the Attorney-General, in respect of charges of murder or attempted murder of members of the security forces, how many of those tried have been acquitted in jury trials and under the existing trial without a jury, respectively.

The Attorney-General

There were two acquittals in respect of murder and eight in respect of attempted murder at jury trials and no acquittals in respect of murder or attempted murder in non-jury trials.

Mrs. McAliskey

asked the Attorney-General, where charges have been brought in respect of murder or attempted murder of civilians, in how many cases charges were withdrawn by the prosecution before the deposition stage and during the course of the trial itself, respectively.

The Attorney-General

Twenty-six charges of murder and one charge of attempted murder of civilians were withdrawn before the deposition stage. At the trial stage, 11 charges of murder and five charges of attempted murder were withdrawn.

Mrs. McAliskey

asked the Attorney-General, in respect of persons tried for murder or attempted murder of civilians, how many were acquitted in jury trials and under the existing emergency procedure of trial without a jury, respectively.

The Attorney-General

There were four acquittals in respect of murder and seven in respect of attempted murder in jury trials and three acquittals in respect of murder and one in respect of attempted murder in non-jury trials.

Mrs. McAliskey

asked the Attorney-General how many persons were charged with murder and attempted murder, respectively, of members of the Armed Forces in Northern Ireland in 1973; how many persons were charged with murder and attempted murder, respectively, of civilians in the same period; and in how many of these cases the charges were dropped before the deposition stage.

The Attorney-General

During 1973, 10 persons were charged with murder and 51 with attempted murder of members of the Armed Forces. 92 were charged with murder and 58 with attempted murder of civilians during the same period. In respect of the Armed Forces, there were no charges of murder and five charges of attempted murder withdrawn before the deposition stage. In respect of civilians, 28 charges of murder and four of attempted murder were withdrawn before the deposition stage.

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