The British army has started dismantling its controversial observation post in the centre of Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, despite fears of renewed dissident republican activity in the area.
The demolition of the Borucki post, which has dominated the village's skyline for 23 years, is part of a demilitarisation programme announced by the RUC Chief Constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, in May "provided the security situation would allow for it". Demolition is expected to take until the end of the week.
Sir Ronnie yesterday justified his decision to sanction the demolition in spite of the recent arms and explosives find in Croatia thought to have been destined for dissident republicans.
He said there would be no letup in the security forces' battle against republican splinter groups. "We remain fully alert in respect of the threat posed by dissident republicans in this area and, indeed, elsewhere. There will be no let-up in the continuing effort by security forces to thwart the intentions of these people. The recent seizures in Croatia demonstrate the total commitment and level of international co-operation to ensure these groups do not succeed."
He said the assessment of the overall security situation enabled him to conclude that the observation tower in Crossmaglen Square could be removed.
A British army spokesman yesterday said that after conducting an assessment of the overall threat to security in south Armagh the army had decided to proceed with the demolition.
The post was named after Private James Borucki, a member of the Parachute Regiment killed in an IRA booby-trap bomb in August 1976 close to where the tower was built a year later.
Before its construction, six British soldiers were killed in the immediate vicinity of Crossmaglen's main square, while a further three lost their lives after it was in place.
Over the years, the tower was the target of a number of paramilitary bomb and mortar attacks. More than 200 soldiers were housed in its cramped confines to carry out observation duties.
While nationalist politicians yesterday welcomed the move, unionists have described the demolition as "premature". The DUP MLA for the area, Mr Paul Berry, said he had been told by security sources that there was a high risk of paramilitary activity in south Armagh. The decision to dismantle the post was a political one which would leave law-abiding people very anxious.
An SDLP MLA for Newry and Armagh, Mr John Fee, described the demolition as a "wonderful day for Crossmaglen, a wonderful day for south Armagh and an enormously significant day for Northern Ireland". He added: "It is the single biggest vote of confidence in the peace process by the British government and it is an indication of growing confidence that we are entering a period of enduring and lasting peace . . . In Irish terms it is the small step for man and the giant leap for mankind."
Sinn Fein said the demolition was a "welcome but overdue" move which needed to be followed by a comprehensive programme of demilitarisation right across the North. In particular, the party called for the removal of the army post from the top of the Divis tower-block in west Belfast.