title: The changing pattern of paramilitary punishments in Northern Ireland.
abstract: Paramilitary punishments in Northern Ireland traditionally involved shooting in the limbs with low-velocity handguns. During the recent IRA ceasefire they were replaced with beatings by clubs and similar objects. We carried out a retrospective review of patients who had suffered punishment beatings who presented to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast. Patients were more likely to have fractures and more severe soft-tissue injuries. The time spent in hospital was often longer, and there was a greater chance of requiring operations (often multiple).
authors.affiliation: Fracture Clinic, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Nolan
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McCoy
mesh_terms: D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D009660:Northern Ireland; D011678:Punishment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D014754:Violence; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*