10. Conclusions & Recommendations

1. Conclusions
2. Recommendations

Conclusions

• that the actions of the RUC were the primary cause of civil unrest in Derry over the period covered by the report
• that the RUC continues to act in a manner which is explicitly sectarian in character and which has undermined the last vestiges of confidence which some nationalists might have had
• that the RUC's use of plastic bullets was wilful and unlawful in terms of their own guidelines and was designed to inflict massive injuries and even death on many people in the city
• that at least 332 people were injured, many seriously, because of being hit by plastic bullets. This figure does not reflect the true number of those injured as many people did not seek medical attention

Recommendations

1. 1. that there should be a legally constituted international inquiry into the death of Dermot McShane
2. 2. that the RUC be speedily replaced as the police force for Northern Ireland by a police service which is acceptable to all traditions within Ireland and whose officers are committed to serving the community impartially and in accordance with international recognised standards of human rights
3. 3. that pending agreement about a new police service, the RUC be withdrawn from those areas where they are unacceptable and replaced by a police service drawn from the countries of the European Union
4. 4. that the British army be withdrawn to barracks and its use prohibited in areas where they are unacceptable or in riot situations
5. 5. that plastic bullets should be withdrawn immediately and should not be available to any police service in the North of Ireland

30 July 1996

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