Paras back in Derry
In a blatantly provocative move, the British Army deployed
members of the Parachute Regiment in Derry last weekend.
Members of the regiment, which was responsible for the Bloody
Sunday murders in the city, detained Sinn Féin election workers
in the Ballyarnett area. The troops questioned the activists and
searched their car. It was the only car stopped in the area.
Sinn Féin candidate Gerry O hEara said, ``This follows the pattern
where elements within the British establishment are determined to
create an atmosphere detrimental to the building of a lasting
settlement. It is ironic that while we are constantly hearing
demands for decommissioning from British and Unionist
spokespersons, the largest military machine in Ireland, the
British crown forces, are still intent on intimidation and
harassment.
``If this peace process is to work then it is essential that
immediate steps are taken to remove completely not only the
Paras, but the British military presence in all its
manifestations from our towns and countryside.''
There have several reports this week of crown force harassment of
Sinn Féin election workers, including on Tuesday night, the
detention of South Belfast candidate Sean Hayes who was held and
questioned by an RIR patrol.''
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)