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25/06/2007
Bessbrook army base to close
A British Army base in County Armagh is set to close down as part of Northern Ireland’s “normalisation” programme.
At the height of the Troubles the Bessbrook site was the busiest heliport in Europe, and the last flight took place this weekend.
Operation Banner, the name the army gave its support to the police, was the longest running single campaign in military history, stretching back more than 35 years to the early 1970s.
The withdrawal is one of the last high-profile events before the army ends its official role of supporting the police in Northern Ireland on July 31.
Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy hailed the news, saying: “This is obviously welcome news for the community of South Armagh, who have had to live under British military occupation for the past 30 years.
“Sinn Fein made the issue of demilitarising communities like South Armagh a central part of the political negotiations. We are happy we have now arrived at this point.”
Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was the last soldier to be murdered by the IRA. He was shot dead by a long-distance sniper while operating a security checkpoint in 1997, and was the last of 763 military personnel to die in the Province.
At the height of Operation Banner there were more than 30,000 troops in Northern Ireland based in over 100 locations.
(JM)
At the height of the Troubles the Bessbrook site was the busiest heliport in Europe, and the last flight took place this weekend.
Operation Banner, the name the army gave its support to the police, was the longest running single campaign in military history, stretching back more than 35 years to the early 1970s.
The withdrawal is one of the last high-profile events before the army ends its official role of supporting the police in Northern Ireland on July 31.
Sinn Fein MP Conor Murphy hailed the news, saying: “This is obviously welcome news for the community of South Armagh, who have had to live under British military occupation for the past 30 years.
“Sinn Fein made the issue of demilitarising communities like South Armagh a central part of the political negotiations. We are happy we have now arrived at this point.”
Lance Bombardier Stephen Restorick was the last soldier to be murdered by the IRA. He was shot dead by a long-distance sniper while operating a security checkpoint in 1997, and was the last of 763 military personnel to die in the Province.
At the height of Operation Banner there were more than 30,000 troops in Northern Ireland based in over 100 locations.
(JM)
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03 April 2006
Last army watchtowers to be demolished
The last of the British army watchtowers are to be demolished today in South Armagh. The move is the latest in a number of operations, brought on by the IRA's decommissioning in August, that will phase out military presence in Northern Ireland and return the province to a state of normalisation.
Last army watchtowers to be demolished
The last of the British army watchtowers are to be demolished today in South Armagh. The move is the latest in a number of operations, brought on by the IRA's decommissioning in August, that will phase out military presence in Northern Ireland and return the province to a state of normalisation.
03 December 2003
Loudmouth Tory councillor expelled
The Conservative Party has expelled Neville Saunders, the disgraced former leader of Peterborough City Council, after he refused to withdraw derogatory comments made earlier this year about the people of Northern Ireland.
Loudmouth Tory councillor expelled
The Conservative Party has expelled Neville Saunders, the disgraced former leader of Peterborough City Council, after he refused to withdraw derogatory comments made earlier this year about the people of Northern Ireland.
10 May 2006
Major job cuts as army bases close
Around 1,500 civilian jobs are to be cut as part of the military normalisation programme in Northern Ireland. The government will retain just 11 bases and sites for Northern Ireland's peacetime army garrison instead of 14, which was originally planned.
Major job cuts as army bases close
Around 1,500 civilian jobs are to be cut as part of the military normalisation programme in Northern Ireland. The government will retain just 11 bases and sites for Northern Ireland's peacetime army garrison instead of 14, which was originally planned.
01 August 2007
Army Operation Ends In Northern Ireland
The British Army’s 38-year military operation in Northern Ireland ended at midnight last night. With the removal of Operation Banner, the Army’s support role for the police, it is now down to the PSNI to police the province.
Army Operation Ends In Northern Ireland
The British Army’s 38-year military operation in Northern Ireland ended at midnight last night. With the removal of Operation Banner, the Army’s support role for the police, it is now down to the PSNI to police the province.
02 August 2001
Army installations to be dismantled in South Armagh
South Armagh is to see the removal of several British Army surveillance structures as part of a package of measures aimed at reducing military presence in the area.
Army installations to be dismantled in South Armagh
South Armagh is to see the removal of several British Army surveillance structures as part of a package of measures aimed at reducing military presence in the area.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
