Vol. 441 No. 6
70 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total number of British defence force personnel serving in Northern Ireland who have been convicted of serious offences; the number convicted of murder or manslaughter; if he has raised this matter with the British authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
In relation to the first part of the Deputy's question, I have sought the details requested from the British authorities and will communicate further with the Deputy. In relation to the second part of the Deputy's question, our figures indicate that since 1969 four prosecutions, out of a total of thirty-three arising from the use of lethal force by the security forces, resulted in convictions: two convictions for murder, one for attempted murder and one for manslaughter. These convictions, which arose out of the use of lethal force in the course of official duties, are additional to the convictions for serious offences, including in some cases murder, of a number of members of the former Ulster Defence Regiment, which were referred to in a reply to a question from the Deputy on 5 May 1992.
The Government have consistently conveyed to the British Government the necessity of ensuring that the security forces act within the law at all times; and that members of the security forces should be accountable and be seen to be accountable for their actions. As previously indicated. I have brought clearly to the attention of the British Government my concerns over the adequacy of the existing criminal law as it relates to the use of lethal force by the security forces, the operation of controls over the use of such force and the accountability of those involved.
The question of the use of lethal force by the security forces has been considered at recent meetings of the Anglo-Irish Conference with particular reference to a review undertaken by the British side in relation to their criminal law, including proposed reforms to the law, and the guidance, practice and follow-up procedures relating to the use of force. The matter remains an important one on the agenda of the Anglo-Irish Conference.
