§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland why an IRA road block was permitted between 5 and 6 o'clock on Friday 1 August at the junction of Gaults Road and Cushendun Road, North Antrim; what arrests were subsequently made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Humphrey Atkins:I presume the hon. Gentleman is referring to an incident on the Ballyeamon Road on the date in question.
At 17.45 hours the police in Cushendall received a report that two armed and masked men were stopping cars on the Ballyeamon Road. Two minutes later they received a report that a car had been hijacked some 17 minutes earlier. Police went to the scene immediately but those responsible had left. The hijacked vehicle was found by the police at 2140 hours that evening. No arrests have yet been made in connection with the incident. Police investigations are continuing.