Army posts dismantling begins

It will take months before the work is completed

Army engineers have begun dismantling two hilltop watchtowers in south Armagh.

The decision that paved the way for removal of the observation towers at Tievecrum, near Forkhill, and Cloghogue, outside Newry, was published in last week's joint declaration by the British and Irish Governments.

The work at the two sites will take several months to complete.

Unionists have warned the continuing threat of dissident republican violence makes Friday's demolition premature and irresponsible.

The Continuity IRA admitted a bomb attack on a police patrol in Armagh on Wednesday night.

It would be sheer and utter folly to scale down security while there is a very real threat to peace from republican dissidents

Danny Kennedy
Ulster Unionist MLA

Ulster Unionist assembly member for Newry and Armagh Danny Kennedy said: "There is an element at work in the area and the country as a whole, intent on causing death and destruction as recent incidents have proved.

"It would be sheer and utter folly to scale down security while there is a very real threat to peace from republican dissidents."

Sinn Fein representatives in the area have welcomed the demolition, but say they will believe it when it actually happens as they say the removal of the towers has been promised before.

In the joint proposals published by the British and Irish Governments last week, there was a pledge to demolish a total of five watchtowers in south Armagh by the end of the year.

In time, just 14 military bases and 5,000 soldiers would remain in the province. There was also a pledge to drastically reduce the number of military helicopter flights.

There would be a reduction in the number and the appearance of police stations, with a move away from fortified bases to community posts.