New plastic bullet dubbed Lethal Weapon III

Backbench Labour MP, Kevin McNamara last week dubbed the new plastic bullet L21A1 ``Lethal Weapon III'' following technical information obtained from Parliamentary Questions about the weapon. Despite a complete lack of consultation with victims organisations and against the advice of experts, the RUC and British Army intend to deploy the replacement bullet on 1 June.

Reviewing the data made available to the House of Commons by Defence Minister John Spellar, Mr McNamara poured scorn on attempts to portray the new plastic bullet as ``safer'' than the model L5A7 currently in use. ``I am advised that US military data suggests that limits on the kinetic energy of baton round type munitions should be set excluding any weapon with more than 122 joules of kinetic energy - that is what hits the victim. The experts believe that weapons with an energy greater than 122 joules should be considered as a lethal weapon and their use regarded as illegal where the use of lethal firearms in the same context would be illegal.''

According to test figures now available, the energy transmitted by the new L21A1 plastic bullet at a 105-foot (35m) impact is 230 joules. For a 60-foot (20m) impact the energy figure is 244 joules. Kevin McNamara said: ``These figures are staggering - the new plastic bullet will hit the victim at twice the recommended limit .''

Information supplied to Mcnamara reveals that the new L21A1 baton round weighs in at 98 grammes as against the heavier L5A7 model that weighed 133 grammes.

As a rule of thumb, the lighter the bullet, the higher the velocity: The muzzle velocity of the L21A1 (calculated at 6-foot from gun barrel) is 161 mph (71.4 metres per second). (L5A7 model 140 mph - 62 metres per sec).

* Tobias Molly killed aged 18. Was shot in chest by Army rubber bullet at 6-9 foot range.

* Nora McCabe killed aged 32. Shot in head by RUC plastic bullet at 6-foot range.

* Sean Downes killed age 22. Shot in chest by RUC plastic bullet at less than 6-foot range.

McNamara said: ``The figures speak for themselves. To be hit by anything at 160 mph is something more than a sharp shock.''

According to figures compiled by relatives of plastic bullet victims, at least 16 of the 17 fatalities caused by plastic bullets resulted from a breach in deployment guidelines.

McNamara reiterated his concern that the MoD is ``defying the recommendations of Patten and pushing ahead with its plan to re-equip Army and police in Northern Ireland with a new generation of deadly plastic bullets. Everything the Government has done on this issue has been shrouded in secrecy and flies in the face of the commitment of the RUC to promote a new face for policing in Northern Ireland.''

A Manifesto on Plastic Bullets was jointly launched in Belfast on Wednesday 16 May by the United Campaign against Plastic Bullets, the Derry-based Pat Finucane Centre and Relatives for Justice at a press event on the Andersonstown Road in Belfast, near where Sean Downes was killed by the RUC in August 1984.

The groups call on people to urge their political representatives, religious leaders and community leaders to sign up to the manifesto and to challenge the British government over its decision to introduce a new and more lethal plastic bullet.

The manifesto can be obtained from Relatives for Justice 235a Falls Road, Belfast BT 12 4PE, PH 028 90 220100 and Fax 028 90 220101 and the Pat Finucane Centre 1 West End Park Derry, BT 48 9JF PH 028 71 268846 FAX 028 71 266453 and should be returned to both offices by post or fax before 31 May.

Julie Livingstone mural unveiled


Over 100 people gathered at Glenveagh Drive in Lenadoon on Sunday 13 May to witness the unveiling of a mural to local girl and plastic bullet victim Julie Livingstone.

14-year-old Julie was returning home from the shop with a bottle of milk on 12 May 1981 when a British soldier fired a plastic bullet at the child. She died the following day, 13 May, in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital. Contrary to British Army claims, there was no rioting in the area when the fatal shot was fired.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Julie's sister Elizabeth, in a moving address, spoke of the hardship the family faced after Julie's death and supported calls for the weapon to be banned.