An Phoblacht/Republican News · Thursday 31 October 2002

Anger at new Lisanelly spy cameras

Omagh Sinn Féin Councillor Séan Begley has said the erection of three additional spy cameras on the parameter fencing of Lisanelly British Army base last week is a further infringement on the privacy of the residents of Strathroy. It is also a further worrying sign that remilitarisation is taking place, he said, instead of the demilitarisation that the British government promised under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement.

"People in Strathroy have had to live under the shadow of this oppressive military installation, and the disruption to normal life that its presence causes, for far too long," said Begley. "The Agreement offered hope to the people of the area that this blight on the landscape would be removed and the substantial area of land on which it is sited used in the regeneration of the local area and indeed of Omagh itself.

"Instead, a large continent of British Army personnel moved into the area last Monday and erected three new spy cameras. Without any consultation with local people, they also set about removing bushes and saplings beside the riverbank and burnt material collected by local children for their Halloween bonfire. Local people are incensed, but not surprised, at the cavalier attitude displayed by the British military as they have come to expect this from them.

"Pat Doherty MP has been raising the issue of Lisanelly Barracks in every meeting he has had with British Secretary of State John Reid. Pat Doherty will continue to raise the issue with his successor Paul Murphy, although available evidence, including last week's upgrading of surveillance system at the installation, show that his representations are falling on deaf ears."