HC Deb 04 February 1999 vol 324 cc698-701W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for the week ending 16 January the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved(a) Loyalist and (b) Republican groups. [67561]

Mr. Ingram

The number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland during the period 10 January to 16 January are shown:

Paramilitary style attacks:
By Loyalist By Republican
Shootings 2 0
Assaults 0 3

Total shooting incidents: 3

Notes:

Total shooting incidents include those recorded as paramilitary style attacks (2).

Only the Paramilitary style attacks can as yet be attributed with certainty to Loyalist or Republican groups.

The figures are subject to minor adjustment.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list for each month of(a) 1996, (b) 1997 and (c) 1998 the number of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland, indicating how many involved (i) Loyalist and (ii) Republican groups. [67604]

Mr. Ingram

The following tables give the numbers of violent incidents involving paramilitary groups which took place in Northern Ireland in 1996, 97 and 98, indicating how many involved Loyalist and Republican groups.

Casualties as a result of paramilitary style assaults, 1996–98
1996 1997 1998
Monthly Breakdown Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican
January 14 11 7 12 5 3
February 8 14 12 14 7 8
March 9 18 7 11 6 3
April 5 18 5 6 6 1
May 11 11 7 4 8 3
June 10 25 2 1 8 11
July 14 15 8 5 7 7
August 11 16 4 4 11 2
September 8 10 5 7 9 2
October 20 10 6 4 8 4
November 13 12 8 7 6 5
December 7 12 7 3 5 6
Total 130 172 78 78 86 55

Note:

Figures are subject to minor adjustment

Deaths due to the security situation, 1996–98
1996 1997 1998
Monthly Breakdown Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican
January 2 6 1
February 1 3
March 1 1 2 3 1
April 2 2
May 1 3 1
June 1 2 2
July 2 3 4 1
August 28
September 1 3 1 1
October 1 1 1 2
November 1
December 3 1
Total 5 9 16 5 17 37

Note:

Figures are subject to minor adjustment

Bombing incidents, 1996–98
1996 1997 1998
Monthly Breakdown Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican
January 1 13 2 2
February 7 8 3
March 2 10 7 5
April 3 2 2
May 1 2 1 2 7
June 1 3 2 1 3
July 2 3 9 56 4
August 1 1 3 4
September 1 1 9 4 2
October 1 1 3 1n/a 1n/a(1)
November 3 3 1n/a 1n/a(-)
December 2 2 2 1 1n/a 1n/a(4)
Total 3 11 18 59 85 32
1 The 5 bombing incidents during October to December 1998 are as yet not attributable to Loyalist or Republican groups, although 2 have been claimed by The Red Hand Defenders and the Orange Volunteers.

Note:

Figures are subject to minor adjustment

Shooting incidents, 1996–98
1996 1997 1998
Monthly Breakdown Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican
January 4 2 9 1 17 11
February 3 2 4 1 2 8
March 5 3 9 5 8 5
April 2 8 5 9 8
May 5 4 6 2 7 1
June 2 1 8 5 5 10
July 7 15 11 47 29 2

Shooting incidents, 1996–98
1996 1997 1998
Monthly Breakdown Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican Loyalist Republican
August 2 1 13 1 4 3
September 8 2 4 2 2 1
October 5 5 2 1n/a 1n/a(9)
November 5 1 4 2 1n/a 1n/a(18)
December 4 1 9 6 1n/a 1n/a(14)
Total 50 34 90 79 83 49
1For the period October to December 1998, other than 7 recorded as paramilitary style shootings, incidents are as yet not attributable to either Loyalist or Republican groups.

Notes:

1. Includes all shooting incidents including those recorded as paramilitary style shootings

2. Figures are subject to minor adjustment

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if the RUC has any knowledge of the identity of the(a) persons and (b) organisations who have carried out punishment beatings and shootings during 1998. [67777]

Mr. Ingram

The Chief Constable has stated publicly that all paramilitary organisations have engaged in these activities. Organisations' involvement in paramilitary attacks was the subject of a debate on Wednesday 27 January 1999,Official Report, columns 347–97. I would add only that if the RUC had evidence as to the identity of persons involved in this activity they would have taken steps to have the suspects brought before a court. As for knowledge, the Government does not discuss intelligence matters.