HC Deb 12 December 1996 vol 287 c351W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on sectarian killings which have taken place in the last 12 months. [7339]

Sir John Wheeler

There have been 17 murders in Northern Ireland between 10 December 1995 and 10 December 1996 arising from the security situation, of which two are believed to have had a purely sectarian motive. These, like all murders, are cruel crimes without any justification, and the Government condemn them unreservedly.

Every effort will be made to bring those responsible for these and all other crimes to justice. To date, one person has been charged in connection with one of the sectarian murders.