Republican News · Thursday 22 November 2001

Crown forces threaten South Armagh farmer

A South Armagh farmer who was threatened by members of the Crown forces says he is fearful for his life and the lives of his family.

The man, who wishes to remain anonymous, has a farm south east of the village of Crossmaglen. On 10 November, while he was cultivating his land along with workers from an agricultural firm he had hired, patrols consisting of British soldiers and RUC/PSNI approached them and threatened their lives.

Toni Carragher of South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee (SAFRC) said one of the RUC/PSNI members actually told the man they would shoot him.

"This was the fourth time during the week the Crown forces had invaded the man's land for no reason. He now feels vulnerable and under threat as a result of this increase in military activity on his land," said Carragher.

While the British soldiers and RUC/PSNI were on the farm, two further deployments of troops were landed by Lynx helicopters.

"The helicopter activity startled grazing cattle and caused injury to some of the livestock", said Carragher, "there was also extensive damage caused to fencing on neighbouring farms".

Carragher added that the man told SAFRC that the situation was so bad that a number of the firm's employees from Counties Down and Louth have left the site and refuse to come back.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday night, 14 November, a number of people were stopped by the RUC/PSNI at a checkpoint in the village of Cullyhanna and harassed while the village of Silverbridge has seen heavy British army and RUC/PSNI patrolling every evening this week with regular checkpoints being set up. In the villages of Forkhill, Dromintee, Jonesborough and Meigh, there is almost 24-hour patrolling. Crossmaglen itself is also being heavily patrolled.

The SAFRC spokesperson also criticised SDLP Assembly member John Fee in light of this increase in British military activity saying "the welcome given by the SDLP to the paltry moves on demilitarisation in South Armagh was untimely.

"The removal of two token Sangers, whilst the main Spyposts remain on Sturgan and Camlough mountains, not to mention the ring of military fortifications that enclose South Armagh and the continued bully boy tactics employed by the RUC/PSNI and British Army is not good enough."