§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the incident at Tamnamore, Dungannon on 19 October involving terrorists and the security forces which resulted in the death of Mr. Fred Jackson.
§ Mr. ScottOn the morning of 19 October a military patrol encountered a group it believed to be armed terrorists in a stolen van near Tamnamore, Dungannon. A pursuit ensued during which fire was exchanged between the soldiers and terrorists. Mr. Jackson was caught in this exchange of fire as he left his place of work and died from his wounds a short time later. The terrorists, who were acknowledged by the Provisional Irish Republican Army to be members of their organisation, abandoned their vehicle about a mile from the scene of the shooting and hijacked a further two vehicles in making good then-escape. It was subsequently determined that the fatal shot came from the weapon of a member of the Army patrol. As the incident is currently the subject of an investigation by the Royal Ulster Constabulary and as there has not yet been an inquest, it would be inappropriate for me to comment at this stage, other than to express my profound sympathy to Mr. Jackson's family on their tragic bereavement.