Three men have been charged in connection with violent republican protests close to two British army watchtowers in south Armagh last year. Sinn Féin has accused the police of brutality while they were making the arrests yesterday morning.
The men were charged with public order offences before being released on bail. They are due to appear in court next month.
About 20 police officers and three soldiers were injured and property damaged during demilitarisation demonstrations at two military watchtowers in the Creevekeeran and Drummakavall areas of Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, on December 9th last year.
A local Sinn Féin MLA, Mr Conor Murphy, said the way in which the Police Service of Northern Ireland had made the arrests was "a disgrace" and had caused a lot of resentment in the community. People felt that "very little had changed" with regard to the attitude of the security forces towards the people of south Armagh.
"Many within the nationalist and republican community will be outraged at this latest instalment of PSNI brutality," he added.
Mr Murphy alleged that police had smashed doors and windows and had assaulted a number of people during the early morning raids. A PSNI spokeswoman said she could not comment on the claims.
"The matter is now sub-judice and we cannot comment further. If Sinn Féin has a grievance then they should lodge a complaint through the appropriate channels," she stated.