``Smash the bases down''
Le Padraig MacDabhaid
Farmers and Residents against Military bases are calling for a large
turnout at a protest at Annaghmartin checkpoint, Roslea, County
Fermanagh, on Sunday 14 March with the theme being ``Smash the bases
down''.
The protest has been called by the local FARM group due to the
increase in British Army and RUC patrols, low helicopter flights, the
deployment of the RIR and the failure of the British government to
remove its apparatus of war, ``all of which has resulted in the
increased intimidation and harassment of Fermanagh residents by the
crown forces'', said group spokesperson Oliver McCaffrey.
``Since the signing of the Good Friday Agreement this area has seen a
marked increase in military activity by the British. The RIR,
traditionally not deployed in the area have now been used in a number
of nationalist villages'', he added.
Local residents have filed many complaints against both the RUC and
British Army. The most serious incident occurred recently with a man
being harassed at an RUC checkpoint. He walked into a local bar, but
was followed into the bar by two RUC officers who removed their hats
and proceeded to assault him, a fight ensued as other residents came
to the aid of the man. The next day the man was arrested and charged
by the RUC over the incident.
One of the main complaints directed against the British Army was the
marked increase in helicopter flights into Roslea, particularly at
night, sometimes up to 14 a day, most of which fly at extremely low
levels.
Sunday 28 February saw these helicopters deploying troops throughout
the village.
The increased militarisation of Fermanagh has almost reached farcical
levels with 18 British soldiers being used to patrol the village of
Lisnaskea, as the first soldier was leaving the main street the last
one was only entering it.
Residents of the area are hoping to soon have a meeting with the
Dublin government to discuss the problem.
FARM are calling on all those targeted by the crown forces and those
who wish to see an end to such activity to attend the protest which
is assembling in Roslea Village at 2.30pm on Sunday 14 March.
In a sinister development there has been a bomb alert on the roadside
beside the checkpoint where the protest is to be held. This alert has
been ongoing since Sunday 7 March with nothing being found. This has
led many local residents to come to the conclusion that the bomb
alert is an elaborate hoax being used by the British army to steal
the spotlight from the protest and to attempt to justify their
activities.
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