United front against spyposts
Over 1000 people gathered in Crossmaglen on Sunday 19 October to
protest against the lookout posts and increased helicopter
flights and foot patrols by the British Army since the IRA
cessation.
The march and rally, organised by the recently established South
Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee, began south of the border
and made its way to the lookout post on Drumuckavall mountian in
the north. Here, the crowd was addressed by speakers from Sinn
Féin, SDLP, Fianna Fáil, the GAA and local farmers.
Each speaker expressed their anger at the extension of lookout
posts and increased daily harassment of local farmers since the
IRA cessation. Fianna Fáil TD for Louth, Seamus Kirk insisted
that these points would be raised in Leinster House. He said,
``the removal of the lookout posts would be a very welcome
gesture.''
Chairperson of Crossmaglen GAA Club expressed his anger at the
increased harassment and intimidation of club members, he said,
``property belonging to everyone should be returned. It was taken
at the point of a gun and was being held at the point of a gun.''
Jim McAllister of Sinn Fein lightened the atmosphere with his
speech. ``The camera which is usually positioned beside us was
taken down last night as some sort of concession, as with the
change of hard helmets to soft hats. They could come with roses
up their backsides, we still don't want them. We don't want
gestures, we want our rights, we want our property.''
The rally ended with Declan Fearon, chairperson of the Farmers
and Residents Committee stating, ``our objective is to see these
lookout posts completely gone. Let us have our say in the peace
process.''
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