No Army Return In Armagh, Say Police

The army has not been re-deployed in south Armagh to tackle dissident republican elements, police have said.

A District Policing Partnership (DPP) meeting this week was told the PSNI would continue to police the area, despite a sinister terrorist checkpoint operating in the village of Meigh last month.

The police crew involved were backed by senior officers for withdrawing from the scene, where masked men brandishing automatic weapons and a rocket launcher stopped cars to distribute republican literature.

At last night's two-hour long DPP meeting SDLP councillor Frank Feely asked the area's commander Chief Inspector Sam Cordner to address rumours that soldiers would be returning to watch over the area (pictured).

Mr Cordner said the PSNI was capable of handling the threat from dissidents, and that the necessary resources were available to his officers.

He rejected the suggestion the army has been, or would be, tasked with combating the problem.

"There is no sense or suggestion that there will be any re-introduction of military, that's just not on the agenda. Newry and Mourne and South Armagh will be policed by the PSNI, end of story," he said.

"The level of resourcing we have available in the district is fit for purpose for what we are trying to achieve."

However, Councillor Feely said, while accepting Mr Cordner's integrity, he still has reservations.

The SDLP man said, ultimately, the decision to deploy troops rests with the Secretary of State.

"You can't be sure of the future. There's always the possibility that the Secretary of State, who has the final say on these matters, would send in the army," he said.

See: Checkpoint Gunmens' Propaganda 'Coup'

(PR/BMcC)