Estates besieged in Newry
RUC seal off Ardoyne
By Mick Naughton
``It was their usual response to a loyalist attack on this
district,'' remarked a grandmother from Cranbrook Gardens last
Friday 18 July as she surveyed the six British soldiers from the
Royal Engineers Regiment camped out in her front garden. They
were part of a hundreds strong crown forces raiding party that
laid siege to Ardoyne.
She was speaking less than 48 hours after a loyalist death squad
had attacked a house nearby. The massive raids also happened days
after loyalist politicians accused the crown forces of being soft
on republicans.
The woman, who did not wish to be named, told An Phoblacht:
``In August 1971 my home was burnt to the ground as were others in
Farrington Gardens while the British army stood and watched
loyalist mobs enter our homes and torch them. I live in this
house which is almost on the spot where my old home used to be.
These soldiers have brought all those terrible memories back.''.
``It's community punishment,'' said another resident, a young
mother of three. ``They are only here because of an appeasement
policy for unionists and loyalists.''
This view was common among those gathered outside their homes
along the Berwick Road between the time the raids started and by
the time the last Saxon lumbered out of Ardoyne Avenue around
teatime. During the day nothing was found by the raiding parties
in what RUC commander Michael Brown described as ``an area
search.''
This was rubbished by some who had earlier approached Sinn Fein
with details of how RUC members were boasting at how they were
``going to teach the Taigs in Ardoyne a lesson for the Orangemen.''
``Look at this form,'' continued the Cranbook grandmother. ``It was
given to me after the Royal Engineers searched my home. I
challenge this stupid RUC commander to examine it. It quite
clearly states that nothing was found in my home or no damage was
caused and it was signed by a corporal whose signature is
illegible. But the patrols number is on it. Look.''
On advice from local Sinn Féin Councillor Mick Conlon the
document was lodged with the woman's solictor pending a legal
challenge to the raid on her home.
``This RUC's Superintendent's statement is untrue,'' said Conlon.
``I have seen this woman's form and others which prove they were
in searching nationalist homes. Brown's comment that the
operation was `an area search, rather than a house search,' is
plainly at odds with the facts of the matter. I also find it
amazing that as the leaders of nationalist Ireland were putting
the final peace blocks into place those in the British army and
RUC HQ's were finalizing their invasion plans for Ardoyne.''
Similar raids were also taking place in Newry's Derrybeg and
Barcroft areas on 18 July which were challenged by local Sinn
Féin councillors.
``Since 6.30am nationalists in Newry have been subjected to a mass
invasion of crown forces personnel who have effectively sealed
the Barcroft and Derrybeg estates,'' said councillor Davy Hyland.
``Every car is being stopped and searched and pedestrians are
being questioned in the most aggressive manner. Houses, sheds and
gardens are also being searched and a cordon has been set up
around two community centres.''
Hyland also told how armoured personnel carriers drove recklessly
at speed through the estates with one particular incident
standing out.
``One APC crashed through the gates of a community facility,
endangering the lives of local people. What we are witnessing
here is martial law being enforced and I demand that the RUC and
British army account for this attack on the nationalists of Newry
and that they withdraw immediately from the area.''
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