Terrorist activity increases in South Armagh
By Stephen Delaney
The South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee (SAFRC) led by
their chairperson, Declan Fearon, Secretary Toni Carragher, Henry
McElroy and Peter Carragher attended the talks building in
Stormont on Tuesday at the invitation of Gerry Adams. The
delegation called for the demilitarisation of South Armagh.
They also met with most other parties at the talks, including
Martin Mansergh representing the Dublin government and Direct
Ruler Mowlam whom they left ``with no doubt as to the strength of
feeling over the increase in British military activity in South
Armagh''.
Mowlam ``expressed deep concern and agreed to visit the area for
herself in the future,'' they said.
Phoblacht visited South Armagh on Tuesday and spoke to SAFRC
members before they departed for Belfast. Chairperson Declan
Fearon told us, ``this committee was reformed in August after
residents realised that after the IRA cessation of July, the
British Army and RUC were stepping up their actions instead of
decreasing them. Besides the huge increase in foot patrols and
checkpoints, which in turn makes for more helicopter flights.
They are also carrying out extensive building work on some the 19
spytowers that have spoiled these panoramic views for over ten
years''.
Committee secretary Toni Carragher continued, ``on an average
month since the cessation there has been over 170 flights going
in and out of Glassdrummond lookout post. The helicopters usually
travel in groups of three; that's 510 helicopters flying over
this post alone in one month. When the helicopters fly low or
land the livestock in the fields scatter with fear, sheep, cattle
and horses have been killed or seriously injured in this way. It
has also been proven in tests carried out in lakes near army
posts that raw sewage is being directly pumped into them from the
bases and watch towers.''
Henry McElroy added ``Farmers who own the land these posts have
been built on have never been properly compensated. Something
like 400 acres have been commandeered. Another important point to
be addressed is that despite the Ministers of Agriculture from
both governments trying to prevent the spread of infectious
diseases they remain silent when RUC and British troops walk from
farm to farm, spreading diseases such as TB and Brucilosis on
their foot wear. They regularly cut wiring and break fencing
allowing animals to roam freely into other farms and on to main
roads''.
Peter Carragher concluded, ``this area is surrounded by nineteen
spy posts, four enormous RUC/Army barracks, one of which is the
busiest helicopter base in Europe. But I would like someone to
explain to me, why in these so called days of so-called peace has
the military oppression got worse? Mo Mowlam says in Saturday's
Irish News that security has been reduced, well I can only treat
that statement with the contempt it deserves''.
In the towns of Crossmaglen and Forkhill the feeling was very
similar. One man from County Louth said, ``I am terrified coming
across the border now, when the IRA were active I very rarely saw
British army patrols. If I did, they didn't have time to harass
me, now that's all they seen to have time for''.
A woman living outside Crossmaglen said the area has over 30
houses yet it has no street lighting or foot paths.
She added, ``a lady living here was taken to Daisy Hill hospital
in Newry on Saturday evening. Because of recent health cuts the
hospital had no doctors on duty, she had to be rushed to
Craigavon, over twenty miles away, the lady now has to spend five
weeks in hospital because she didn't get immediate treatment. The
following day, Sunday, I counted nine helicopters hovering for
hours. I would think the money it takes to keep these things
flying could be better spent''.
James Quinn a pensioner who lived in Crossmaglen all his life
said, ``the RUC and British Army activity is as intense now as it
has ever been, worse in fact, and I should know''.
Sinn Fein's Jim McAllister agreed, ``the upgrading of security is
massive in this area, you can see for yourself the extensive work
being carried out on lookout posts such as on Carrive mountain.
It's almost a totally new military base now, added to the
increase in helicopter flights, foot patrols and harassment the
whole thing is contemptible at any time, but in these days of so
called peace the whole thing is atrocious. When Mowlam talks of
reduced security I can only say she is a complete liar or hasn't
got a clue on what's really happening. I will challenge anybody
who has doubts of the increase in military activities in this
area to come and see for themselves.''