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Army 'not returning to streets' Army 'not returning to streets'
(about 3 hours later)
A SDLP councillor says he believes the army could be sent back into south Armagh if there is an increase in dissident republican activity. An SDLP councillor says he believes the army could be sent back into south Armagh if there is an increase in dissident republican activity.
Frank Feeley said he thinks soldiers will be redeployed if there are more incidents like last month's illegal checkpoint in Meigh. Frank Feeley said he thought soldiers would be redeployed if there were more incidents like last month's illegal checkpoint in Meigh.
He made the comments after raising the issue at a DPP meeting in Crossmaglen.He made the comments after raising the issue at a DPP meeting in Crossmaglen.
However Chief Inspector Sam Cordner said there was "no suggestion" of re-introducing the military to the area.However Chief Inspector Sam Cordner said there was "no suggestion" of re-introducing the military to the area.
"That's not on the agenda at all, Newry and Mourne and south Armagh will be policed by the PSNI - end of story," he said. "That's not on the agenda at all. Newry and Mourne and south Armagh will be policed by the PSNI - end of story," he said.
RumoursRumours
Mr Feeley asked the PSNI to clarify the situation because rumours were circulating about an increased security presence in the area. Mr Feeley asked the PSNI to clarify the situation because rumours had been circulating about an increased security presence in the area.
Last week, FAIR victims campaigner Willie Frazer issued a statement welcoming the army back to south Army and hailed it as "a sensible move in the wake of recent terrorist activity". Last week, FAIR victims campaigner Willie Frazer issued a statement welcoming the army back to south Armagh and hailed it as "a sensible move in the wake of recent terrorist activity".
Frank Feeley said he accepted Chief Inspector Cordner's assurances that soldiers have not been redeployed but added that the local commander did not have the "final say" on the issue.Frank Feeley said he accepted Chief Inspector Cordner's assurances that soldiers have not been redeployed but added that the local commander did not have the "final say" on the issue.
He told the Good Morning Ulster programme: "The Secretary of State has final say in matters relating to security and I would honestly believe that he would be thinking of sending in the army...to deal with this type of threat ." He told the Good Morning Ulster programme: "The secretary of state has final say in matters relating to security and I would honestly believe that he would be thinking of sending in the army... to deal with this type of threat."
"It would make it very, very difficult for a lot of people, particularly Sinn Fein, because the army is a blunt instrument."It would make it very, very difficult for a lot of people, particularly Sinn Fein, because the army is a blunt instrument.
"It's not meant for policing and it always causes confrontation."It's not meant for policing and it always causes confrontation.
"We know that from the past and violence leads to further violence and you would have a situation in a very short time where certain parts of south Armagh would revolt against it.""We know that from the past and violence leads to further violence and you would have a situation in a very short time where certain parts of south Armagh would revolt against it."
A spokesperson from the Northern Ireland Officer rejected Mr Feeley's comments and said "Operation Banner which saw the army giving routine support to the police ended in 2007 and will not be re-activated in South Armagh or anywhere else. A spokesperson from the Northern Ireland Office rejected Mr Feeley's comments and said "Operation Banner which saw the army giving routine support to the police ended in 2007 and will not be re-activated in South Armagh or anywhere else.
"It is not on the government's agenda.""It is not on the government's agenda."