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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