HC Deb 25 June 1998 vol 314 cc607-8W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for each year since 1975 the number of persons accused of terrorist crimes who have been tried in Northern Ireland Courts under the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975, specifying so far as the information is readily available to the offence alleged, where it was committed and the outcome of the trial. [46742]

The Attorney-General

I have been asked to reply.

Table 2—Additional information in respect of persons tried in Northern Ireland for extra-territorial offences under the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 during the period 1990–1997
Year of trial Number of Persons tried Principal offence Where offfence was committed Sentence imposed
1990 1 Counselling and procuring an explosion, contrary to section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 and section 6(2)(a) of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 1RoI 16 years' imprisonment
1991 1 Possession of ammunition with intent, contrary to Article 17 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and section 1 of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 RoI 7 years' imprisonment
1992 1 Conspiracy to Murder, contrary to Article 9(1) of the Criminal Attempts and Conspiracy (Northern Ireland) Order 1983 and section 6(2)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 2NI 15 years' imprisonment
1993 1 Counselling and procuring murder, contrary to section 6(2)(a) and (3) of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 RoI 3
1994 3 Armed robbery, contrary to section 8 of the Theft Act (Northern Ireland) 1969 and section 1 of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 RoI 4
1995 1 Possession of a firearm with intent, contrary to Article 17 of the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981 and section 1 of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 RoI 8 years' imprisonment
1996 1 Possession of explosives contrary to section 3(1)(b) of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 and section 1 of the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 RoI 8 years' imprisonment
1 RoI connotes an offence committed in the Republic of Ireland
2 NI connotes an offence committed in Northern Ireland
3 An order was made that the principal offence should not be proceeded with without the leave of the court. A sentence of 12 years' imprisonment was imposed in respect of other offences
4 An order was made that the principal offence should not be proceeded with. Sentences of 2 years' imprisonment and 2 years' imprisonment suspended for a period of 3 years were imposed in respect of other offences

The information requested is set out in the tables. In respect of the more detailed information requested by the hon. Member for the period 1976–1989, that information is not readily accessible and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The figures given are for all extra-territorial offences tried in Northern Ireland.

Table 1—Number of persons tried in Northern Ireland for extra-territorial offences under the Criminal Jurisdiction Act 1975 during the period 1977–1997
Number of persons
Year of trial Tried Convicted Acquitted
1977 0 0 0
1978 3 3 0
1979 0 0 0
1980 0 0 0
1981 1 1 0
1982 2 2 0
1983 0 0 0
1984 0 0 0
1985 1 1 0
1986 1 1 0
1987 1 0 1
1988 5 5 0
1989 1 1 0
1990 1 1 0
1991 2 2 0
1992 0 0 0
1993 1 1 0
1994 3 13 0
1995 2 2 0
1996 0 0 0
1997 0 0 0
Total 24 23 1
1 An Order was made that the extra-territorial offences should not be proceed with without the leave of the court. The defendants were convicted on other charges.

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