To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what disciplinary action has been taken against those members of the Parachute Regiment who were bound over to keep the peace for 18 months in a recent court action arising out of incidents in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone.
The soldiers were brought before the magistrates court for various charges relating to the alleged offences committed in Coalisland. No separate disciplinary action may now be taken against them for the same or substantially the same offences.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the estimated legal costs incurred by his Department in respect of the recent court action against members of the Parachute Regiment arising out of incidents in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone.
The costs of this action will not be determined until solicitors' bills have been received for consideration and approval by the Crown Solicitor's Office, Northern Ireland, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many senior and junior barristers were employed by his Department in the recent court action against members of the Parachute Regiment arising out of incidents in Coalisland, Co. Tyrone.
On legal advice, four leading counsel and four junior counsel were employed to represent the particular interests of the individual soldiers concerned.