Halliday to raise deteriorating security in South Armagh with Chief Constable
Posted on 11/03/11 and tagged under Terrorism
Statement by TUV Newry & Armagh Assembly candidate Barrie Halliday:-
“Those of us who live in South Armagh know only too well the prevalence of the ongoing terrorist threat. Yet, for political presentational reasons security is dumbed down, particularly in day light hours when the police are rarely seen.
“While, of late, there has been military helicopter activity at night, which confirms the pressing nature of the threat, I see little deterrence by day. This can only be to placate Sinn Fein and their ambivalence towards security.
“I call on the District Commander to assure and demonstrate to the law abiding community that no political constraints will stand in the way of providing adequate security, including the deployment of such military support as is necessary.
“We need active police patrolling from Newtownhamilton and Crossmaglen Stations. The new Newtownhamilton station, designed to take over the former role of the dilapidated Bessbrook station, has never been put into full use as a patrolling base because of the terrorist threat and a No Go mentality.
“All of which causes me to fear that South Armagh is being allowed to again get out of control.
“I will be raising all these issues with the Chief Constable when I meet him at the end of this month as part of a TUV delegation.
