British securocrats target Sinn Féin representative

Newry Armagh Sinn Féin representative Conor Murphy has accused British securocrats of continuing their covert activities and has questioned why members of a British Army foot patrol photographed his home on Monday evening.

Murphy said that several British Army foot patrols, accompanied by members of the PSNI, were seen on the main road passing his home in Camlough. One particular patrol stopped and took a series of photographs of the house. "This is a very worrying development for my family and myself," he said.

"For many years British Army and Special Branch files have been a primary source of information for unionist paramilitaries. On many occasions I have highlighted the long history of collusion, which has resulted in the deaths of nationalists and republicans. This latest development is nothing less than state intimidation and an attempt to silence Sinn Féin and myself from demanding the truth about collusion.

"I have also written to British direct rule Minister Jane Kennedy asking her to explain why the British Army are photographing the homes of elected representatives. I have also questioned who has access to this information and where is it stored. We need answers as to why the British Army continue to gather and collate information on elected representatives. This is clear evidence that the securocrats within the British administration continue their covert activities. I have also raised this matter with Brian Cowen and the Irish Foreign Affairs Department in Dublin."

Also in south Armagh, Sinn Féin Councillor Packie McDonald has condemned the recent upsurge in British Army and RUC/PSNI activity in the area, especially the increased helicopter activity.

"Contrary to the promises of the British government of a reduction in their militarisation of this part of Ireland they are moving to entrench themselves even further with ongoing construction evident in the Forkhill base," said McDonald on Friday last. "Local people reported a convoy entering the base within the past week and the level of harassment has increased dramatically. People have been stopped at nuisance roadblocks whilst on their way to mass at the weekend and a number of raids on homes have taken place, including one house when the family were on holiday.

"On Tuesday night, 12 August, up to seven helicopters carrying a large number of British troops and RUC/PSNI members landed in Jonesboro and launched a raid on the home of an elderly woman who has serious medical problems. This kind of activity highlights the disparity between British government promises and the reality of the actions of their armed forces in this area."