1 April 1999 Edition

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Dismay at Paras deployment

Mick Murphy, Sinn Féin Assembly member for South Down, has expressed his dismay at news of the deployment of the British army's Parachute Regiment in his constituency.

``Nationalists were promised a new beginning in the Good Friday Agreement,'' he said. ``People are angry that the British regiment responsible for Bloody Sunday have been sent into the area.''

Murphy believes that events in his constituency over the past week suggest to nationalists that nothing has changed. ``Those responsible for the murder bid on Francis Trainor in Castlewellan are given a free hand by the RUC and RIR while the Paras are deployed in nationalist areas to harass and intimidate my constituents'' he said.

Murphy continued: ``It is ironic that while we are constantly hearing demands for decommissioning from British and Unionist spokespersons, the largest military machine in Ireland, the British Crown forces, are still looking down their guns at the broad nationalist community.''

He concluded: ``If this peace process is to work, then it is essential that immediate steps are taken to remove completely not only the Paras from South Down, but the British military presence in all its manifestations.''

An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland