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Terrorism

Volume 973: debated on Friday 16 November 1979

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asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve have been killed or injured on duty; and how many have been killed or injured off duty as a result of terrorist incidents since the formation of the force.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 483]: Since the formation of the Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve, 39 members have been killed and 312 injured as a result of terrorist activity. Information as to whether or not these incidents took place on or off duty is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the Royal Ulster Constabulary have been killed or injured on duty; and how many have been killed or injured off duty as a result of terrorist incidents since 1968.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 483]: From 1 January 1969 to 31 October 1979, a total of 129 regular and reserve officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary were killed as a result of terrorist attacks. From 1 January 1969 to 30 September 1979, a total of 3,401 regular and reserve officers were injured either as a result of terrorist attacks or in the course of controlling civil disturbances. Information as to whether or not the deaths or injuries took place on or off duty is not readily available.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions in the past six months the Royal Ulster Constabulary have been fired at by terrorists; on how many occasions they returned fire; and how many terrorists were killed or injured as a result.

[pursuant to his reply, 12 November 1979, c. 483]: Between 1 May and 31 October 1979 officers of the Royal Ulster Constabulary have come under fire on 52 occasions. It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, to determine on how many occasions fire was returned, but no one was killed or injured as a result of police gunfire during any of the 52 incidents recorded.

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland were convicted of terrorist type offences during the recent Trinity term at Belfast City Commission; and what sentences were imposed.

During the recent Trinity term, 216 persons were convicted at Belfast crown court for offences which are scheduled under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1978. The following sentences were imposed:

  • 8 persons were sentenced to life imprisonment;
  • 3 persons were sentenced to 20 years and over;
  • 3 persons were sentenced to at least 15 years but less than 20 years' imprisonment;
  • 15 persons were sentenced to at least 10 years but less than 15 years' imprisonment;
  • 7 persons were sentenced to at least 7 years but less than 10 years' imprisonment;
  • 15 persons were sentenced to at least 5 years but less than 7 years' imprisonment;
  • 41 persons were sentenced to less than 5 years' imprisonment;
  • 30 persons were given borstal or training centre sentences, and
  • 94 persons were given non-custodial sentences.
Where a person has been convicted of more than one offence, only the most serious or that which received the longest sentence is recorded.