Last of Northern Ireland's watch towers removed
DUBLIN -- Britain removed the last of its armoured watch towers in Northern Ireland on Tuesday in a significant symbolic step towards erasing the visible reminders of the province's 30-year conflict.
Improved security conditions following the 1997 cease-fire by the IRA have seen Britain drastically reduce its military presence in Northern Ireland.
It began dismantling the watch posts that dotted the countryside and towered over small towns and villages in 2000 and has pledged to end all military support for the Northern Ireland police force on July 31 this year.
The iron-clad, cube-shaped observation post, or sangar, removed by crane on Tuesday had stood 20 feet (6.5 metres) above the army-backed Crossmaglen police station in County Armagh...
"This is at the heart of what used to be called 'Bandit Country'," [army spokesman Mervyn] Wynne Jones said. "Times move on, it's tremendous."
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Improved security conditions following the 1997 cease-fire by the IRA have seen Britain drastically reduce its military presence in Northern Ireland.
It began dismantling the watch posts that dotted the countryside and towered over small towns and villages in 2000 and has pledged to end all military support for the Northern Ireland police force on July 31 this year.
The iron-clad, cube-shaped observation post, or sangar, removed by crane on Tuesday had stood 20 feet (6.5 metres) above the army-backed Crossmaglen police station in County Armagh...
"This is at the heart of what used to be called 'Bandit Country'," [army spokesman Mervyn] Wynne Jones said. "Times move on, it's tremendous."