5 March 1998 Edition
Tyres destroyed
Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle member Dessie Murphy, from South Armagh, had two tyres on his car destroyed at a British Army checkpoint outside Newry on Tuesday.
Murphy was stopped on the main Belfast to Dublin road at Cloghogue at 1.30pm and ordered to pull over. His car was thoroughly searched and he was verbally abused. After the search he was waved on but as he drove off a British soldier pulled a spiked chain under his wheels, destroying two tyres.
When a senior officer came on the scene he apologised to Murphy. The RUC were called, along with Murphy's solicitor. The entire incident lasted two hours and the car could not be removed until 11.00pm on Tuesday night.
Murphy was stopped on the main Belfast to Dublin road at Cloghogue at 1.30pm and ordered to pull over. His car was thoroughly searched and he was verbally abused. After the search he was waved on but as he drove off a British soldier pulled a spiked chain under his wheels, destroying two tyres.
When a senior officer came on the scene he apologised to Murphy. The RUC were called, along with Murphy's solicitor. The entire incident lasted two hours and the car could not be removed until 11.00pm on Tuesday night.
