Nationalists’ welcome barracks closure in north west and Armagh

Nationalist groups and politicians have welcomed the news from the Chief Constable that two major army stations in Londonderry and South Armagh will be closed.

The Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan announced on Tuesday January 22 that Ebrington Barracks in Londonderry would close next year and work to demolish Glassdrumman watchtower in South Armagh would start immediately.

Ebrington barracks which has been the army’s headquarters in the North West will be vacated in September 2003 and 500 soldiers will be relocated to England or Shackleton barracks in Ballykelly.

Leader of SDLP Mark Durkan said he welcomed the announcement and hoped that local representatives would work together to ensure the site was managed and developed in the local community’s interest.

SDLP colleague and spokesman on policing Alex Attwood said the news was confirmation that “normalisation is advancing on a real and significant manner.”

Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Mitchel McLaughlin said the closure of Ebrington Barracks was a “long overdue contribution to the demilitarisation of Derry”.

He added: “Further actions need to be undertaken, not least the immediate closure of the Rosemount and Bishop Street Barracks with their accompanying watch towers. I can assure the people of Derry that Sinn Féin will continue to demand the closure of these bases until the wishes of local people are met.”

Peter Carragher who represents the South Armagh Farmers and Residents Committee said people in the area would welcome the removal of the whole base and the land returned to farmers. However Mr Carragher said the removal of just the watchtower and not the barracks beneath “would hardly represent a credible to demilitarisation, and would in fact be just a PR exercise.” (AMcE)