Terrorism: Northern Ireland
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what information his Department holds on the number of prosecutions that have been made against security forces for troubles related crimes; and how many of these prosecutions relate to (a) murder, (b) manslaughter and (c) other crimes.
Answered by Hilary Benn
The Government does not hold all of the specific information that has been requested.
We understand that, between 1 January 2012 and December 2024, 68 cases for potential prosecution were considered in Northern Ireland in relation to Troubles-related cases, of which there were 25 decisions to prosecute. 6 of these decisions relate to cases that fall within the military category. None related to cases that fall within the police category.
Within that period, there has been one successful prosecution of a soldier in 2022, which was for manslaughter. That individual was given a suspended sentence.
While ongoing prosecutions are a matter for the relevant independent prosecution service, it is the Government’s understanding that there are now nine ongoing Troubles-related prosecutions in Northern Ireland. Of those nine prosecutions, one falls in the former police category, and one in the military category.
We understand that figures relating to 1998-2012 are not available. Any further queries should be directed to the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland or the Crown Prosecution Service as relevant.
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