HL Deb 26 February 2002 vol 631 cc229-30WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many murders are alleged to have been committed by the IRA in (a) County Londonderry, excluding the city and (b) the City of Londonderry during each year from 1971 to 1980; and in how many cases successful prosecutions followed. [HL2712]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

It is not possible to provide the statistics in the format requested. The table below provides the number of murders attributed to republican groups and the number of murders where charges have been brought.

County Londonderry City of Londonderry (excluding the city)
Number of murders attributed to republican groups3 96 44
Number of above murders for which charges have been brought1 24 17

Notes:

1. Includes Strand Road, Waterside and Shantallow Station areas.

2. Includes Limavady. Coleraine and Magherafelt Sub-Divisions and Eglinton and Claudy Station areas (both within Waterside sub-division).

3. Murders cannot be attributed to specific groups. The table provides the total number of murders by republicans.

4. The police database does not include details of prosecutions. The table gives the number of murders that have resulted in charges being brought.

Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of murders alleged to have been committed by the IRA from 1970 to date have resulted in successful prosecutions. [HL2713]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

It is not possible to answer the Question in the format requested (successful prosecutions). However, I have attached statistics that incorporate the bringing of charges for murders attributed to republican groups.

Security Situation Statistics
1 January 1970 to 7 February 2002
Number
Number of murders attributed to Republican groups 1,803
Number of murders (attributed to Republicans) where charges have been brought 518 (29%)

Note:

Statistics are provisional and may be subject to minor amendment.