1 October 1998 Edition

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British upgrade Divis Tower

By Roisín Mac Greevy

Divis Tower residents contacted An Phoblacht to express their anger at a night-time military operation by the British Army.

At 9pm on Tuesday two jeeps and a lorry arrived at Divis Tower to begin work refortifying and upgrading surveillance equipment at the British Army base which occupies the whole top floor of the Tower. The British Army continued its construction work through the night, only stopping in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The increased surveillance equipment will be capable of surveying even more of the district.

Between 150-200 residents were disturbed through the night and complained that when they tried to talk with British Army representatives they were ignored. During the operation the lift was broken.

The chairperson for Divis Tower Residents Association, John Leatham expressed his anger, he said: `` We are part of the community, the rights of the residents have not been taken into consideration, at a time when demilitarisation is such an issue why then is the British army refortifying Divis Tower?''

There are currently 20-30 British Army and RUC personnel based in Divis Tower and at no time since the tower was built in 1969 has therebeen dialogue between the residents and the British Army.

In the past the British Army has been known to harass residents by throwing eggs and golf balls off the roof.

Local councillor Fra McCann has repeatedly been in contact with the Housing Executive regarding the matter and feels that now is the ``time for greater liaisons and progress on demilitarisation.''

Meanwhile, Sinn Fein assembly member for Newry and Armagh and spokesperson on demilitarisation, Mr Pat Mc Namee, said, `` there are 16,000 members of the British Army and over 13,000 armed RUC personnel operating in the Six Counties, the British Government should stop rebuilding and fortifying its military apparatus.''

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland