The bullet was developed by the British as the 'plastic baton round' (PBR). It was intended to replace the older rubber bullet with a projectile that could be fired directly at targets while also reducing the risk of serious injury or death. It was introduced in 1972 and initially was used alongside the rubber bullet, which it replaced completely in 1975.The first plastic bullet was made of pvc, was 89 mm (3.5 inches) long and 38 mm (1.5 in.) in diameter, and weighed approximately 142 g (5 oz.). The weight was similar to the rubber bullet but the new projectile had a lower muzzle velocity. From 1973 to 1981, over 42,000 plastic bullets were fired in Northern Ireland. Fourteen people were killed by plastic bullet impacts, including nine children. Most of the deaths were caused by the British security services misusing the weapon, firing at close range and at chest or head level rather than targeting below the waist
Victims of Plastic and Rubber Bullets Rubber Bullets
Name Age Shot Circumstances Francis Rowntree 11 April 22 1972 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 5-7 yards. Non-riot situation. Tobias Molloy 18 July 16 1972 Shot in the chest by British Army from a distance of 2-3 yards. Eyewitnesses said he was not rioting. Thomas Friel 21 May 22 1973 Shot in the head by British Army from 25-30 yards during riots in Derry.
Plastic Bullets
Name Age Shot Circumstances Stephen Geddis10 August 8 1975 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 40 yards. Non riot situation Brian Stewart 13 October 10 1976 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 10 yards. Non-riot situation
Michael Donnelly 21 August 9 1980 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 15-20 yards. Non-riot situation.
Paul Whitters 15 April 25 1981 Shot in the chest by RUC from a distance of 5-7 yards. Julie Livingstone 14 May 13 1981 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 7 yards. Non-riot situation.
Carole Anne Kelly 12 May 22 1981 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of less than 10 yards. Non-riot situation.
Henry Duffy 45 May 22 1981 Shot in the head by British Army. Non-riot situation
Nora McCabe 32 July 9 1981 Shot in the head by the RUC from a distance of 2 yards. Non-riot situation.
Peter Doherty 36 July 31 1981 Shot in the head by British Army through his living room window. Non-riot situation.
Peter McGuiness 41 August 9 1981 Shot in the chest by British Army from a distance of 3 yards. Non-riot situation.
Stephen McConomy 11 April 19 1982 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 5-6 yards. Not rioting Sean Downes 22 August 12 1984 Shot in the chest by RUC from a distance of 2 yards.
Keith White 20 April 14 1986 Shot in the head by RUC at point blank range.
Seamus Duffy 15 August 9 1989 Shot in the chest by RUC from a distance of less than 10 yards. Non-riot situation.
Victims of Plastic and Rubber Bullets Rubber Bullets
Name Age Shot Circumstances Francis Rowntree 11 April 22 1972 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 5-7 yards. Non-riot situation. Tobias Molloy 18 July 16 1972 Shot in the chest by British Army from a distance of 2-3 yards. Eyewitnesses said he was not rioting. Thomas Friel 21 May 22 1973 Shot in the head by British Army from 25-30 yards during riots in Derry.
Plastic Bullets
Name Age Shot Circumstances Stephen Geddis10 August 8 1975 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 40 yards. Non riot situation Brian Stewart 13 October 10 1976 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 10 yards. Non-riot situation
Michael Donnelly 21 August 9 1980 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 15-20 yards. Non-riot situation.
Paul Whitters 15 April 25 1981 Shot in the chest by RUC from a distance of 5-7 yards. Julie Livingstone 14 May 13 1981 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 7 yards. Non-riot situation.
Carole Anne Kelly 12 May 22 1981 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of less than 10 yards. Non-riot situation.
Henry Duffy 45 May 22 1981 Shot in the head by British Army. Non-riot situation
Nora McCabe 32 July 9 1981 Shot in the head by the RUC from a distance of 2 yards. Non-riot situation.
Peter Doherty 36 July 31 1981 Shot in the head by British Army through his living room window. Non-riot situation.
Peter McGuiness 41 August 9 1981 Shot in the chest by British Army from a distance of 3 yards. Non-riot situation.
Stephen McConomy 11 April 19 1982 Shot in the head by British Army from a distance of 5-6 yards. Not rioting Sean Downes 22 August 12 1984 Shot in the chest by RUC from a distance of 2 yards.
Keith White 20 April 14 1986 Shot in the head by RUC at point blank range.
Seamus Duffy 15 August 9 1989 Shot in the chest by RUC from a distance of less than 10 yards. Non-riot situation.