§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what were the circumstances relating to414W the arrest and preferring of charges against eight men in connection with a robbery at Holmes Cash and Carry at Boucher road, Belfast in February 1996; how many juries were selected and how many trials took place; what was the cost of the entire judicial process; for what reason this case was descheduled; and if she will make a statement regarding its conduct and outcome. [23385]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 16 January 1998]: On 12 February 1996, the RUC, acting on information received, went to the premises of Holmes Cash and Carry at Boucher road, Belfast and arrested seven men in the premises and one additional man a short distance away. All eight men were arrested under provisions of section 14(1)(b) of the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act 1986 and conveyed to Castlereagh Holding Centre for interview. Charges were subsequently preferred for the offences of Armed Robbery and Unlawful Imprisonment.
During the following court proceedings six juries were involved. There were six trials, two of which reached conclusion.
The then Attorney-General certified that the charges in this case were not to be treated as scheduled offences. He has asked me to say that he did so because he formed the erroneous view that they were not connected with the emergency.
It is not possible to provide the cost of this entire judicial process without incurring disproportionate cost.
The Secretary of State does not intend to make a statement about the conduct and outcome of this case.