South Armagh Paras told to get out

Sinn Féin South Armagh local election candidates Mary Campbell and Anthony Flynn are pictured at a demonstration last Saturday evening outside Forkhill Barracks in South Armagh, where they served an eviction notice on the PSNI and unwelcome British paratroopers inside.

Flynn last week expressed concern over a recent incident where he was detained by British paratroopers and PSNI officers in Jonesboro' for a lengthy period and was subject to intimidatory questioning. The Sinn Féin Slieve Gullion representative was asked many personal questions and all his details were recorded by paratroopers in what he said was a "sinister approach by this military patrol".

The Paras are suspected of being involved in a sledge hammer attack on the Hunger Strike memorial at Ford's Cross near Silverbridge earlier this month.

"This criminal regiment has a reputation of murdering innocent civilians all over the world," said Mary. "These Paras have already made it known to locals that they will make their presence felt before they leave.

"These assault troops are not suitable for this area, in whatever role their political masters have sent them here for.

"We not only call for their withdrawal from amongst our community, but we call for the total withdrawal of all the military outposts from our hillsides and out of our towns, especially for the immediate dismantling of the base in Forkhill."