Anger over security base decision

Rosemount security base in Londonderry

Nationalists on Derry City Council have reacted angrily to the RUC chief constable's decision not to close down the Rosemount security base in the city.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan said it was not possible to close the base or remove an observation mast in the near future because of the ongoing security threat.

He was speaking at a meeting of Derry City Council on Wednesday.

Nationalist councillors said the decision flew in the face of the Good Friday Agreement.

Sir Ronnie Flanagan: Held council meeting

However, Sir Ronnie said only when the conditions were right would the installations be removed.

He said: "There were some questions raised about the mast, there were other questions raised about the very maintenance of the base and there being an establishment there at all.

"And these are all things I want to review, and I will keep continuously under review.

"But I would be misleading you to suggest that I have any particular date in mind.

"But we are on that path, of that I have no doubt.

"The sooner we act together to eliminate the threat that we all face together then the quicker we will reach that point where the things that people want removed will be removed."

However, one Rosemount resident, Bridie Deeney, said: "There's a lot of bitterness. It has done nothing to make anything right. It has made everything wrong.

"Because we still have that monstrosity in our midst and I'm am really sick to my stomach tonight."