Mr. Wm Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what is the total number of dwellings, business premises, churches and other buildings damaged in the bomb explosion in Kilrea, County Londonderry, on Wednesday 21st July 1976;
(2) how many shops and how many houses and flats were destroyed and how many rendered uninhabitable by the bomb in Kilrea, County Londonderry, on Wednesday 21st July 1976 at 12.12 a.m.; and how many persons and families were rendered homeless;
(3) what was the total amount of damage caused in Kilrea, County Londonderry, by the bomb which exploded on Wednesday 21st July at 12.12 a.m.;
(4) when the first officials of the Housing Executive, health and social services, welfare and the official loss assessors visited Kilrea, County Londonderry, after the bomb explosion of Wednesday 21st July 1976.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesFollowing the bomb explosion in Kilrea on 21st July 1976, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive reports that six homeless families have sought accommodation from the executive and are now being accommodated on a temporary basis in caravans. It is believed that a small but unknown number of families have found alternative accommodation themselves and have not approached the executive. Seven shops have been or will be demolished.
It is not yet possible to say exactly how many buildings were damaged or destroyed but a detailed examination of a number of shops and dwellings damaged in the explosion is now being carried out.
Over 80 preliminary notices of intention to claim compensation under the Criminal Injuries to Property (Compensation) Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 have been received to date in respect of damage to property arising from this incident. Until all claims have been re- 566W ceived and assessed it will not be possible to state the extent of the damage or its precise amount, but the cost to public funds could exceed £1 million.
Officials of the Housing Executive visited Kilrea at 9.15 a.m. on Wednesday 21st July but their agents were already making temporary repairs. The welfare officer arrived at 10.15 a.m., the official loss adjuster arrived at 11.15 a.m., and by midday officials of the Criminal Injuries Branch of my Department had set up a station in the town to receive notices of intention to apply for compensation for malicious damage. Officials of the Department of Health and Social Services visited the town on Thursday 22nd July.