Security Situation

HC Deb 15 July 1998 vol 316 c230W

11. Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of the security situation. [49028]

Mr. Ingram

The stand-off at Drumcree church led to violence in many Loyalist areas in Northern Ireland. In the most serious incident on Sunday morning, 12 July, three young boys, Jason, Richard and Mark Quinn, died when their home in Ballymoney was attacked by petrol bombers. The RUC, supported by the Army, despite coming under sustained attack from gunfire, blast and petrol bombs have ensured that life continues normally for the majority of people, as well as continuing to guard against further attacks by dissident republican groups.