Undercover British soldiers in cross border surveillance operation

The British Army was involved in an undercover surveillance operation in County Louth last weekend, according to Sinn Féin's European election candidate Arthur Morgan.

Three men, who may have been dug in for some time, were picked up by helicopter from a field overlooking the main Belfast to Dublin road. Morgan has now called on the Dublin government to demand an explanation from the British authorities.

On Saturday, April 17, at 11am, local people watched as two British Army helicopters flew in over Edentubber and landed. The first aircraft dropped a number of British troops, who took up defensive positions as the second helicopter touched down.

``Three armed men in plain clothes then broke cover and ran to the second aircraft to be picked up'', Morgan told An Phoblacht. ``This whole operation took place in the 26 Counties and there is no doubt in my mind that these plain clothes men were British soldiers carrying out some kind of surveillance operation.

``These incursions into the 26 Counties are now becoming a regular feature of British Army activity. I find it hard to believe that the British forces made a mistake''.

According to Morgan, the incursion was reported to the Gardai at Dromad who showed a ``worrying disinterest and refused to do anything about it''.

The Sinn Féin man is now calling on the Dublin government to ``get answers from the British as to who these plain-clothes people were and why they were undercover in an area that is clearly in the 26 Counties''.

On Sunday, April 18, two RUC cars crossed the border on the same stretch of road.

Cow killed by British helicopter


A cow in calf was killed last Friday 16 April when it was frightened by a low-flying British Army helicopter. It was the latest animal death on the farm of Henry McElroy, who lives near the Glassdrummond lookout post in South Armagh. The cow bolted when it was frightened by a helicopter which flew just feet above the shed it was in. The cow injured itself on a metal fence. The vet was called and had to put the animal down because of the extent of its injuries.

Sinn Féin Assembly member Conor Murphy has said that Henry McElroy is now being victimised because he has spoken out against helicopter activity and the British Army's continued occupation of the area: ``I intend raising this case with the Northern Ireland Office. This man's livelihood is in danger because of this activity, yet we have the British government constantly talking about their peaceful intent in South Armagh.''