Republican News · Thursday 7 February 2002

Rosemount Tower must go

Foyle Sinn Féin Assembly member Mitchel McLaughlin said he and his colleagues were "disappointed, angry and frustrated" by British security minister Jane Kennedy's lack of understanding of the situation on the ground, particularly in relation toi the demand for the decommissioning of Rosemount Tower on Derry's walls.

McLaughlin and party colleagues, Derry City Councillors Maeve Mc Laughlin and Barney O'Hagan met with Kennedy on Tuesday to call for the removal of Rosemount spypost.

" She put forward no rational argument for the retention of the Rosemount Tower and didn't seem to have any understanding of the frustration felt by the people of Derry at the presence of both Rosemount and the other Tower on Derry

Walls," said McLaughlin afterwards.

"When challenged to explain the refusal to move on this issue, she just stated her unwillingness to challenge the decision of the RUC/PSNI Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan's professional opinion even though others are presently questioning his professional judgement on other serious matters.

"After informing her that there is almost universal support across political, business and community organisations in the city for their removal, she insisted that removal is not under consideration at present."

Residents held a protest at the Rosemount Spypost on Wednesday afternoon.