Republican News · Thursday 30 April 1998

[An Phoblacht]

Military fist tightens in Bessbrook

By Deirdre Feehan

The village of Bessbrook in South Armagh has seen an increase in harrassment of the local people by the British army in recent weeks.

Many residents have filed complaints to the RUC but nothing has happened. If anything, the situstion has worsened. The barrier in the High Street area is closed from 8pm to 8am and at other times there is a permanent checkpoint.

Speaking to An Phoblacht, a High Street resident claimed that he is harrassed by the British army on a daily basis, ``my home is only 30 yards from the barrier yet anytime I drive into High Street, I am stopped, asked to produce my licence and the hood and bonnet of my car are opened and searched.''

Bessbrook is one of the most heavily militarised areas in the north, many roads are permantly closed, there are many permanent checkpoints and there are more than 24 security cameras.

Residents claim that since the publication of the Good Friday document, the harrassment has worsened. Residents are now also stopped leaving the area and on many occasions ambulances have had to take a mile and a half detour to reach the High Street area because of the barrier.

Residents are holding a protest this Saturday at 4pm, and called for the support of the local people, ``We the people of the area challenge the RUC to tell us where there is security like this in the north of Ireland?''


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