§ 24. Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what major terrorist incidents pertaining to Northern Ireland have occurred since 15 July; and which organisations the RUC assesses to have been responsible. [54785]
§ Mr. IngramThe RUC has advised that the following major terrorist incidents have occurred since 15 July 1998.
211W
Date Location Details Attribution 1 August 1998 Banbridge Town Centre Following coded telephone warnings a car bomb exploded. Approximately 35 persons injured and extensive damage to the town. Claimed by RIRA 6 August 1998 Narrow Water, Warrenpoint An explosion was heard in this area. A substantial crater was located during the subsequent clearance operation. Republican 15 August 1998 Market Street, Omagh A bomb contained in an abandoned car exploded at this location. Twenty-nine persons were killed and hundreds injured. RIRA 5 September 1998 Portadown Constable Frankie O'Reilly was seriously injured by a blast bomb which was thrown at police lines. He died from his injuries on 6 October 1998. Claimed by Red Hand Defenders Notes:
The RUC does not categorise terrorist incidents as major or otherwise, as there are inherent difficulties in that what may be perceived by one person as a major terrorist incident may not be perceived as such by another. This table has been provided in order to be as helpful as possible.
§ 27. Sir Sydney ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will make a statement on the number of terrorist acts of violence over the past six months. [54788]
§ Mr. IngramDuring the past 6 months there have been 44 deaths as a result of the security situation including the deaths of 29 innocent members of the public at Omagh and more recently the murder of RUC Constable Frank O'Reilly. Furthermore, there have been an unacceptable number of brutal paramilitary style assaults which have no place in a civilised society.
Nevertheless—and despite these appalling incidents—overall paramilitary activity is at an historically low level. This is a direct consequence of the Belfast Agreement. As it takes root, the Government and the vast majority of people of Northern Ireland share the hope and the determination that the frequency of paramilitary violence will be further reduced and eventually become a thing of the past.