The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
Mr. Biggs-Davison
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he
| Offence | Maximum sentence in Northern Ireland | Maximum sentence in Republic of Ireland |
| Capital murder (see note) | Not applicable | Death |
| Murder | Life imprisonment | Life imprisonment |
| Arson | Life imprisonment | Life imprisonment |
| Kidnapping and false imprisonment | Life imprisonment | Life imprisonment |
| Offences against the person | ||
| (a) Wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm | Life imprisonment | Life imprisonment |
| (b) Causing grievous bodily harm | 5 years | 5 years |
| Explosives | ||
| (a) Causing explosion likely to endanger life or damage property | Life imprisonment | Life imprisonment |
| (b) Attempting to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or damage property or possessing explosives with intent to do so | 20 years | 20 years |
| (c) Making or possessing explosives in suspicious circumstances | 14 years | 14 years |
| Robbery and burglary | ||
| (a) Robbery | Life imprisonment | Life imprisonment |
| (b) Aggravated burglary | Life imprisonment | Life imprisonment |
| Firearms | ||
| (a) Possessing firearms with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property | Life imprisonment | 20 years |
| (b) Possessing firearms in suspicious circumstances | 10 years | 5 years |
| (c) Carrying a firearm with criminal intent | 14 years | 10 years |
| Hijacking of vehicles | 15 years | 15 years |
| Membership | ||
| (a) Membership of illegal organisation | 5 years | 7 years |
| (b) Inciting or inviting persons to join an illegal organisation | 5 years | 10 years |
| Note: The law of the Republic of Ireland retains the death penalty for certain categories of murder. | ||