A military base in Northern Ireland is to close as part of major new normalisation moves announced today in the wake of the IRA's decision call a halt to its armed struggle.
But unionists were furious at the decision by the British army, which also involved tearing down a military watchtowers in south Armagh.
Lieutenant General Sir Reddy Watt, the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland , confirmed: "In light of yesterday's developments, the Chief Constable and I have decided that a further reduction in security profile is possible.
"I can announce that preliminary work is starting today in south Armagh on the removal of the hilltop observation tower at Sugerloaf Hill near Camlough, on the vacation and closure of the base at Forkhill and on the removal of a super-sangar [lookout post] at Newtownhamilton police station."
A revised security normalisation programme is also expected to be published soon, while plans are being made to allow on-the-run paramilitary fugitives to return home.
The authorities reacted swiftly to the unprecedented declaration by the IRA of an end to the armed and bloody struggle it has waged for more than three decades.
But the DUP's Arlene Foster said: "It's criminally irresponsible of the government to do that, given what has gone on in those border areas.
"It's startling that when the IRA give a statement saying they will stop what they should never have been doing, that the government act so soon."
Danny Kennedy, deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist team at the suspended Northern Ireland Assembly MLA, also reacted reacted angrily.
He said: "With the ink not even dry on yesterday's IRA statement, it is absolutely outrageous that the Government have decided to embark on such a major security scaledown.
"The Government have foolishly decided to act on IRA words alone when it is actions which the people of Northern Ireland are looking for."