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Irish Republican Army (Arms Supplies)

Volume 972: debated on Monday 29 October 1979

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asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, from the evidence available to him, to what extent arms and ammunition reaching the Irish Republican Army are coming from Communist countries; and how high a percentage this represents.

Some of the arms and ammunition captured by the security forces from the Provisional IRA are manufactured in Communist countries. The indications are that these reach the Provisional IRA indirectly. It is not possible to give an estimate of the proportion

19711972197319741975197619771978Total
Escaping from custody111115
Armed robbery172515
Murder112
Attempted murder112
Possession of firearms112
Possession of explosives11
Arson11
Theft and associated offences5192752536
Dangerous driving11
Grievous bodily harm123
Drunken driving123
Assault11
TOTAL642051397872