HL Deb 01 November 2001 vol 627 cc169-70WA
Lord Laird

asked her Majesty's Government:

How many terrorist-related murders had not been dealt with by the courts on 31 August 1994; how many court cases have been brought as a result of those murders; and how many convictions have been made. [HL176)

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

For the period August 1969 to 31 August 1994, a total of 2,688 terrorist murders were committed in Northern Ireland. Charges have been brought in relation to 926 of these murders (34 per cent of the total).

Statistics in relation to convictions in these specific cases are not readily available.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many terrorist related murders have taken place each year since 1995; how many court cases have been brought as a result; and how many convictions have been made. [HL177]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

For the period 1 January 1995 to 31 October 2001, a total of 134 terrorist murders were committed. Charges have been brought in relation to 34 of these murders (25 per cent of the total).

Statistics in relation to convictions in these specific cases are not readily available.

The detailed breakdown for these murders is as follows:

Year Number of Murders
1995 9
1996 14
1997 20
1998 54
1999 7
2000 18
*2001 (to 31 October) 12
Total 134
* Please note that the 2001 data are provisional at this stage.