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.

There will be a maximum of 5,000 Army personnel garrisoned in the province, significantly not to operate here but to prepare for duties in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan.

Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde said that his PSNI officers are up to the job of policing the province and no longer need the support of the army because of the dramatic change in the political and security situation.

A total of 300,000 military personnel were used during the 38-year campaign and a 763 military personnel were killed, the last fatality being 10 years ago.

Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Ian Paisley, said the province owed a great debt to the army and that the peaceful situation in Northern Ireland had only come about as a result of their service.

(SB/SP)