05/07/2006

Last army watchtower to be removed

The last Army observation post in Northern Ireland is to be taken down over the next few days.

The post in Forkhill in south Armagh is the 13th and final tower to be removed as part of the normalisation process, and work on removing it is to begin "very shortly," according to the Ministry of Defence.

It is understood that the site on which the post stands, will be returned to its rightful owners, which is not the case with the site of the former watchtower in Crossmaglen.

It has been reported that the PSNI and Policing Board plan to take over the site.

Sinn Fein Assembly member for Newry and Armagh, Davy Hyland has said that this is unacceptable and added that he had raised the issue with both the British and Irish Governments.

However, Mr Hyland has welcomed the news that the observation posts were to be removed from the Armagh area.

He said: "I have been informed by the British government that the British army will have retreated from their remaining hilltop spy post in south Armagh by next week."

(EF/SP)

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