Republican News · Thursday 14 August 2003

Curran calls for removal of British Army patrols

Sinn Féin Councillor Brendan Curran has called for the removal of British Army foot patrols in the centre of Newry.

On Tuesday, several large British Army foot patrols, accompanied by members of the PSNI, met at the Town Hall, Newry and made their way out the Belfast Road.

"I have to question why such heavily armed military patrols are required in the centre of Newry," said Curran. "The British government agreed to implement a programme of demilitarisation as part of the Good Friday Agreement. We are now witnessing British Army military patrols on a scale equal to that during the 1970s.

"I am calling for the complete removal of the British Army from our streets. Political reasons apart, this heavy military presence does nothing to help Newry & Mourne District Council promote Newry as a thriving shopping centre equal to anywhere on the island of Ireland. All local representatives who wish to see progress being made and support for the Peace Process grow in this area must challenge this securocrat agenda of attempting to impose their will with military might."