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BBC
Sunday, 9 December, 2001
 Twenty one officers were injured during the clashes
Twenty one police officers and three soldiers have been injured after fireworks and stones were thrown at the security forces in south Armagh. Protesters attacked the police and army at the Creevekeeran Army watch tower.
The incident happened during a demilitarisation protest on Sunday organised by Sinn Fein Youth at the tower, which is a few miles outside Crossmaglen.
Four people have been charged with public order offences.
Bus halted
Local people taking part in the protest said they were unhappy that demilitarisation promised by the government had not happened as quickly as they had hoped.
Police stopped a bus seen leaving the area.
It was believed to be returning to Belfast and was stopped on the main A1 road at Loughbrickland.
They arrested four people, two of them juveniles, all four from Belfast.
They have been charged with public order offences in relation to south Armagh.
Two of the injured policemen were taken to hospital by air.
One of the soldiers was transferred to hospital with serious burns.
Two military police dogs were also injured.
'Breached main gate'
At Drummachavall in south Armagh, police fired two baton rounds when protesters tried to breach security fencing.
A police spokesman said protesters used iron bars and petrol bombs.
Ten police officers were injured.
Police said the crowd then went to Crossmaglen police station, breached the main gate and attacked police and military personnel inside with petrol bombs and other missiles.
In October, work began to dismantle four security installations immediately following the IRA's decision to put some of its weapons beyond use.
It was the first response from the UK Government to the IRA announcement, which breathed new life into the peace process.
Demilitarisation was a key demand from Sinn Fein during discussions before the breakthrough. |
