12 November 1998 Edition
McAleese planned to visit Brit base
By Peadar Whelan
In an amazing act of political insensitivity 26 County President Mary McAleese planned to fly into one of the British army's biggest bases in South Armagh. But an angry response from local people has forced the Dublin government to change McAleese's travel arrangements.
McAleese, who is due to visit the border region on 17 November, was set to land in the joint British army\RUC installation in Forkhill, prompting Toni Carragher of the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee to accuse her of ``making a very wrong move'' which will upset the nationalist people of the area.
Local people are campaigning to have the numerous spy-posts and other military bases removed from the South Armagh area. They accuse the crown forces of still being ``at war'' in the border area where they have increased their activities despite the IRA's cessation and the peace process.
Of major concern to the residents is the destruction of property by British soldiers and the risk to their livestock caused by TB which is being carried from farm to farm by British troops, whose saturation patrolling and harassment is resented by locals.
Ms Carragher said that the fact that ``President McAleese was prepared to fly into a British army base at a time when we are lobbying the Irish government to pressurise the British to dismantle its border bases is inexcusable''.
Sinn Fein Assembly member for the area, Pat McNamee said, ``the decision not to visit the British military installation is one which will be welcomed throughout South Armagh''.
Meanwhile news that the British government appointed Chris Patten will not see the border ring of steel when his commission road show goes to Crossmaglen on 19 November has been met with dismay by local people.
Toni Carragher said, ``when we heard that the Commission would be in Cross we assumed Patten would attend. I find it amazing that he is refusing to travel and hear the views of local people who see an increase in crown force activity despite the peace''.
The Commission will hear submissions on 19 November in the Crossmaglen Rangers club rooms starting at 8pm.
In an amazing act of political insensitivity 26 County President Mary McAleese planned to fly into one of the British army's biggest bases in South Armagh. But an angry response from local people has forced the Dublin government to change McAleese's travel arrangements.
McAleese, who is due to visit the border region on 17 November, was set to land in the joint British army\RUC installation in Forkhill, prompting Toni Carragher of the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee to accuse her of ``making a very wrong move'' which will upset the nationalist people of the area.
Local people are campaigning to have the numerous spy-posts and other military bases removed from the South Armagh area. They accuse the crown forces of still being ``at war'' in the border area where they have increased their activities despite the IRA's cessation and the peace process.
Of major concern to the residents is the destruction of property by British soldiers and the risk to their livestock caused by TB which is being carried from farm to farm by British troops, whose saturation patrolling and harassment is resented by locals.
Ms Carragher said that the fact that ``President McAleese was prepared to fly into a British army base at a time when we are lobbying the Irish government to pressurise the British to dismantle its border bases is inexcusable''.
Sinn Fein Assembly member for the area, Pat McNamee said, ``the decision not to visit the British military installation is one which will be welcomed throughout South Armagh''.
Meanwhile news that the British government appointed Chris Patten will not see the border ring of steel when his commission road show goes to Crossmaglen on 19 November has been met with dismay by local people.
Toni Carragher said, ``when we heard that the Commission would be in Cross we assumed Patten would attend. I find it amazing that he is refusing to travel and hear the views of local people who see an increase in crown force activity despite the peace''.
The Commission will hear submissions on 19 November in the Crossmaglen Rangers club rooms starting at 8pm.