Lance Bombadier Restorick

HC Deb 20 July 2004 vol 424 cc197-8W

Patrick Mercer

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what advice about IRA operations was given by the RUC's Tasking Control Group (South) to members of the security forces before Lance Bombadier Restorick's death in January 1997; [183674]

(2) what measures were taken by the security forces once it became known that an IRA operation was likely in the Bessbrook area in January 1997; [183675]

(3) what knowledge the RUC had of future IRA operations in the Bessbrook area before the death of Lance Bombadier Restorick in January 1997. [183676]

Mr. Pearson

The Police Ombudsman has agreed to investigate the issues surrounding the allegations, therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.