Four charged over Armagh watchtower violence

Four people were charged with disorderly behaviour tonight following republican violence in South Armagh which left 22 police…

Four people were charged with disorderly behaviour tonight following republican violence in South Armagh which left 22 police officers and British soldiers injured.

The group, two of them juveniles, were bailed to appear in court later in the month, said police.

They were arrested when police stopped a bus which had left the scene of attacks on two military watchtowers and the police station in Crossmaglen.

Angry unionist politicians today called on the British government to halt the demilitarisation programme which has seen two watchtowers demolished in response to the start of IRA weapons decommissioning.

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Local Ulster Unionist Assembly member Mr Danny Kennedy claimed the protests had been orchestrated by Sinn Féin.

The demilitarisation protests, which descended into violent confrontation, had been organised by the Sinn Féin youth wing.

Mr Kennedy said: "Sinn Féin have heightened tension for purely political reasons. But the violence was counter-productive and should ensure the retention of the security installations in south Armagh."

Despite police coming under attack from petrol bombers and people armed with iron bars, fireworks and other missiles, Sinn Féin said the protesters had not gone armed and accused police of starting the trouble.

Sinn Féin Assembly member Mr Connor Murphy claimed four protesters had been injured by plastic bullets - the security forces said two had been fired by police and one by the army.

Mr Murphy added: "It is clear from both accounts from protesters and independent accounts from members of the media, that people did not go armed."

However police said the violence had been orchestrated and pre-planned.

They stood by their original statement that "from the outset it is clear this was a well orchestrated protest that was never intended to be peaceful.

"The number of police injuries is testament to the fact that violence was the only intention of those involved."

Two policemen and a soldier remained in hospital today after the republican attacks.

Twenty-one police officers, three soldiers and two military dogs were injured in the trouble. Two of the more seriously injured police officers were airlifted from the Border to hospital with head injuries.

One of the soldiers was also transferred to hospital in Belfast suffering from serious burns, police said.

PA