"Malcolm Sutton
(updated October 2002)


This index lists 3,529 deaths which are directly linked to the conflict in Northern Ireland, and which occurred between July 1969 and 31st December 2001. The discrepancy between this figure and the official British figure arises because of differences of interpretation in a small number of cases, and because Northern Ireland Office figures relate to deaths occurring in Northern Ireland only. The following types of death have been excluded from this index because they are not regarded as directly due to the conflict, or I have considered it inappropriate to include them.

Accidental shootings of any individual, whether by a member of a military organisation or by a civilian. That is, the accidental discharge of a firearm with no intention to harm the victim.

Persons killed during rows or fights between individual people, whether they are members of a military organisation or not.

Persons killed during casual street violence, which is clearly not politically motivated.

Persons dying of natural causes, for example heart attacks, brought on by an incident during the conflict.

Suicides.

Road accidents, whether they involve military vehicles, or are driven by persons involved in a military operation, unless there is evidence of a deliberate intention to run down the victim.

Helicopter crashes and accidents.

Of the total deaths, 3,271 have occurred in Northern Ireland, 115 in the Irish Republic, 125 in Britain, and 18 elsewhere in Europe. Republican groups have been responsible for 2,061 of the deaths, Loyalist groups for 1,016, British Forces for 363, and the Irish Republic's Forces for 5. For the remaining 84 deaths, it has not been possible or appropriate to identify the killing group. In the analysis that follows, the deaths caused by the perpetrators are further broken down by broad category of victim. "