16 August 2001 Edition
British border incursion
The Sinn Féin Chair of Dundalk Urban District Council, Sean Kenna, has called on the Dublin Minister for Foreign Affairs, Brian Cowen, to make a strong protest to the British authorities following a cross-border incursion on Friday morning, 10 August, by members of the British Army and the RUC who mounted a checkpoint on the southern side of the border. The incident took place at 10am in the Hackballscross area of County Louth 100 yards south of the Armagh border.
Councillor Kenna said that Sinn Féin had contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs requesting that Brian Cowen raise this matter with the British government immediately.
Kenna said: ``This morning members of the British Army and the RUC mounted a checkpoint south of the Armagh border. It was only after locals protested that the forces retreated.
``These checkpoints are unwelcome and unnecessary in the Six Counties. They are completely unacceptable on this side of the border. This again highlights the urgent need for complete demilitarisation of the British war machine throughout the Six Counties.''
Councillor Kenna said that Sinn Féin had contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs requesting that Brian Cowen raise this matter with the British government immediately.
Kenna said: ``This morning members of the British Army and the RUC mounted a checkpoint south of the Armagh border. It was only after locals protested that the forces retreated.
``These checkpoints are unwelcome and unnecessary in the Six Counties. They are completely unacceptable on this side of the border. This again highlights the urgent need for complete demilitarisation of the British war machine throughout the Six Counties.''
