An RUC constable almost lost one of his legs in what became the last sniper attack during the Troubles. For McConville, the slow pace of change in policing the area is frustrating. At that moment, a gun battle was taking place on the ground between British soldiers and members of the South Armagh Brigade. [3] Another senior figure involved in the British efforts against the sniper squads was SAS Staff Sergeant Gaz Hunter,[4] whose experience in South Armagh dated back to 1975. Nine of these were killed in the February 1985 Newry mortar attack.[20]. [39] When the IRA resumed its campaign in 1996-97, the South Armagh IRA was less active than previously,[40] although one of the sniper teams killed one soldier and seriously wounded an RUC constable. Theres a general feel-good factor that wasnt there when I was growing up. Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)Killed by booby trap bomb hidden in abandoned rifle close to crashed car, Carrive, near Forkhill, County Armagh. That might be your football for the evening and all of a sudden you had to go beg, borrow or steal to try and get a new one to continue on the training session. According to author Toby Harnden, the decision was taken shortly after a Saracen armoured vehicle was destroyed by a culvert bomb near Crossmaglen, on 9 October 1975. [60], One of the IRA volunteers captured, Michael Caraher, was the brother of Fergal Caraher, a Sinn Fin member and IRA volunteer[63] killed by Royal Marines at a checkpoint on 30 December 1990 near Cullyhanna. Armagh I reports on the county's breaking news, sport including Football, GAA & Rugby. Still, it's just as fascinating to read now as it was the first time. It is within the Ring o Source: Forkhill Armagh - IRA "Bandit Country" Share this: Tweet Print Share Telegram fifty skinheads appeared from nowhere, many of them wearing Chelsea and Rangers football scarves and covered in Loyalist and swastika tattoos. The PSNI officers responded to the emergency call, giving a CIRA sniper the chance to shoot and kill officer Stephen Carroll. [32][33] In August 1992, one team mortally wounded a Light Infantry soldier. excluding para-state factions like the Tamil Tigers, ISIS or the PLO that essentially operated in de facto sovereign or 'liberated' territory). In 2006, the British and Irish authorities mounted joint operations to clamp down on smuggling in the area and to seize Thomas Murphys assets. This book ends on a somewhat ominous note, strongly suggesting that Sinn Fein participation in the Stormont government is simply a Trojan Horse for the continued goal of Irish unification and the "Brits Out" campaign--war by other means, if you will. Easy to read, but very informative. Neighbors: County Antrim, County Down, County Louth, County Monaghan and County Tyrone. My copy originally belonged to my father, and then passed to my eager hands when I was 15 years old -- before, I'd had to read sneaky passages of it whenever I was in my parents' room for some rare, legitimate reason. In 1986, the British Army erected ten hilltop observation posts in South Armagh. [74] The security forces set the ground for an SAS ambush by deploying a decoy patrol, but this counter-sniper operation failed twice. The British troops were under strict orders to avoid IRA casualties. [43] The last major action of the brigade before the last IRA ceasefire was a mortar attack on Newtownhamilton RUC/Army barracks, on 12 July 1997. Men from the area also took part in IRA campaigns in the 1940 and 1950s. South Armagh - "Bandit Country" (1976) : ireland However, its worth finding a copy as its one of the best books about the troubles and the stories of South Armagh are incredibly interesting. Other alleged illegal activities involve fraud through embezzlement of agricultural subsidies and false claims of property loss. [72] Until the 1994 ceasefire, even the SAS was unable to prevent the attacks. He was part of a bigger plot to import electronic devices to defeat British Army counter-measures against IRA remote-controlled bombs.[20]. Below Lough Neagh, the north of County Armagh is dominated by the developed industrial strip known as Craigavon which contains the towns of Lurgan and Portadown, and has little to attract you. To the army, South Armagh is 'Bandit Country', 200 square miles of the most dangerous and hostile terrain in Northern Ireland which has claimed the lives of 115 soldiers since 1969. He became a folk hero in Republican circles while derided by others. [77], A Highway Code-style sign saying SNIPER AT WORK was mounted by the IRA near Crossmaglen and became an icon of the republican cause, IRAs top sniper Bernard McGinn is found dead in his Monaghan home. They treated us with disdain, says Mc Conville, standing in the middle of Crossmaglen Rangers pitch. It was the idea of being burned alive. [53][54] Some sources claim that the smuggling activities not only made the South Armagh brigade self-sustained, but also provided financial support to most of the IRA operations around Northern Ireland. Why is Armagh called Bandit Country?The southern part of the county has been a stronghold of support for the IRA, earning it the nickname "Bandit Country". Killed by: Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)From Dublin. When I was 10 years of age and wanted to do that, I would have had to pick my route home, because if you ran into soldiers, the chances were youd get hit with the butt of a gun. Miscellaneous tracts of land were ruled by O'Kelaghan. I thought, will I die here?. Definitely I would recommend it on those grounds alone. The area around the base of Slieve Gullion near Newry also became home to a large number of the Clan McGuinness as they were dispossessed of hereditary lands held in the County Down. But it is also known as the village in Bandit Country, the name given to the rough terrain that surrounds this border enclave. The single Mk-15 mortar bomb landed 40 yards short of the perimeter fence. As a teenager, McConville cut through a field to get into St Oliver Plunkett Park, the home ground of Crossmaglen Rangers GAC, to avoid getting hassle from soldiers in the town. He was defended by solicitor Rosemary Nelson, later killed by the loyalist organisation Red Hand Defenders. The sniper who killed the last British Army victim of the Troubles shot by the IRA has died at his home, reportedly of natural causes. I was down there for Op Rect. County Armagh, Ireland Genealogy FamilySearch . CROSSMAGLEN, Northern Ireland--Welcome to South Armagh, front line of the Troubles and the Provisional IRA's home field. Photograph: Stephen Davison. [42], In 1997, several members of the South Armagh Brigade, based in Jonesborough and Dromintee, following Michael McKevitt, left the Provisional IRA because of its acceptance of the Mitchell Principles of non-violence at a General Army Convention in October of that year and formed a dissident grouping, the Real IRA, which rejected the peace process. If you walked down through the town youd be guaranteed your bag would be taken off you by the soldiers. Travelling overland in South Armagh eventually became so dangerous that the British Army began using helicopters to transport troops and supply its bases a practice that had to be continued until the late 1990s. Forkhill or Forkill (from Irish: Foirceal) is a small village and civil parish in south County Armagh, Northern Ireland, in the ancient barony of Upper Orior. Previously based in London, Belfast, Jerusalem, Baghdad, and Washington, DC, he lives in Virginia. [22] As the divisional commander for South Armagh, Breen was the most senior policeman to have been killed during the Troubles. For the Gaelic football team, see Crossmaglen Rangers GAC. South Armagh - "Bandit Country" (1976) - YouTube He was eventually killed during an attack on the RUC barracks in Keady in November 1973. At 15 years old I was finally deemed old enough and mature enough to be able to read the book with its context and not just the "up the 'RA" kind of attitude that I had been exposed to in school, and since I came into possession of this book I must have read it maybe 10-12 times. I remember we started to be successful at the football and going into him one day, and he says, this is brilliant, well no longer be known as bandit country, well be known for the football we play. Alan Mains was posted to the area after patrolling the leafy suburbs of the Lisburn Road in Belfast as a young RUC sergeant in 1986. The most famous name on the list is Captain Robert Nairac , whose body has never been recovered and is named as one the Disappeared. [15] South Armagh is predominantly nationalist, with much of the population being opposed to any form of British presence, especially that of a military nature. [44] The Omagh bombing of August 1998, a botched Real IRA operation which killed 29 civilians, was prepared by dissident republicans in South Armagh. Other suffixes have been -IB and -LZ. [45] The tabloid press of that time started calling the sniper Goldfinger or Terminator, the nicknames current in Crossmaglens bars. Book Review of Harnden's 'Bandit Country: The IRA and South Armagh' One of my favourite books, re read it after reading it a long time ago. Killed by: British Army (BA)Undercover British Army (BA) member. As the helicopter banks over the heavily-fortified Army base at Crossmaglen in the heart of South Armagh's bandit country . This is a fascinating book. Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)Died two days after being injured when detonated booby trap bomb in derelict house, Mullaghbawn, near Forkhill, County Armagh. The truck bombs were sent to England by ferry. The Daily Telegraph's Irish correspondent Toby Harnden's book, Bandit Country, introduces readers to a brief history of the ancient area known as the Fewes, encompassing South Armagh, the outlying areas of North Louth and North Monaghan.He tries to make the case that, even pre-partition, the Fewes area, which includes South Armagh, was quite a bellicose proposition . It was ruled by the Red Branch, whose capital was Emain Macha (or Navan Fort) near Armagh. South Armagh, however, where the close rural community and family connections of IRA men diminished the risk of infiltration, retained its larger battalion structure. The main difference was nobody tried to avoid me, laughs Mains. Alleged informer. In August 1986, another M82 had been sent in pieces from Chicago to Dublin, where the rifle was re-assembled. Mike. [22] Government Minister for the Department for Regional Development, Danny Kennedy MLA indicates railway restoration plans of the line from Portadown to Armagh.[23]. Well paced and written without any apparent side to the writing .Worthy of an updated revised edition. Christian Brothers Primary School, Armagh - Armagh, County Armagh; Christian Brothers School, Glen Road - Belfast, County Antrim (est. Each state, province or county is shown with the code of the country it is in [40] Two other soldiers were wounded by snipers at New Lodge in November 1993[41] and January 1994. It is a detailed and at times grizzly account of the strongest of Irish Republican strongholds in Northern Ireland, the border region in the south of County Armagh. Ancient Armagh was the territory of the Ulaid (also known as Voluntii, Ultonians, Ulidians, Ulstermen) before the fourth century AD. I chose to read it because I wanted to better understand the significance of the current peace process by learning more about the turmoil and what exactly is being overcome. (I.R.A) History & Background, 16th March Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles, Robert Nairac Undercover Soldier & Hero His Capture & Death | Belfast Child, Forkhill Armagh IRA Bandit Country | Belfast Child, 17th July Deaths & Events in Northern Ireland Troubles | Belfast Child. Regardless of one's point of view toward the cause of the conflict, it is almost unbearably sad to read about the violence wreaked upon the people of this beautiful land. Outside Keenans Bar, an official Northern Ireland tourist information sign hangs which serves as the centre point for Walshs walking tours. Alleged informer. These marks are followed by up to four numbers, e.g., JLZ 6789, (population of 18,000 or more and under 75,000 at 2001 Census)[21], (population of 10,000 or more and under 18,000 at 2001 Census)[21], (population of 4,500 or more and under 10,000 at 2001 Census)[21], (population of 2,250 or more and under 4,500 at 2001 Census)[21], (population of 1,000 or more and under 2,250 at 2001 Census)[21], (population of fewer than 1,000 at 2001 Census)[21]. He is now a trained mental health counsellor and also manages the Wicklow GAA senior football team. Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)Undercover British Army (BA) member. Killed by: Irish Republican Army (IRA)Killed by remote controlled bomb, hidden in milk churn, detonated when British Army (BA) foot patrol passed, Tullydonnell, near Forkhill, County Armagh. [71] A British major said that: That meant that to some extent the IRA had succeeded in forcing troops off the ground and it made helicopters more vulnerable so we had to guard against using them too much. [43] Michael Caraher was thought to be the shooter in several attacks,[66] but he was only indicted for the case of the maimed constable. A number of South Armagh IRA members were imprisoned by the end of the 1970s and took part in the blanket protest and dirty protest in pursuit of political status for IRA prisoners. ONE of Crossmaglen's most accomplished footballers has said a meeting with a British soldier once stationed in Co Armagh's 'bandit country' was evidence of just how far people in the area. This book is super intense lots of descriptions of violence, bombings, attacks and counter attacks that went on in the last 25 years in South of Armagh of "Northern Ireland" by the police, British Army, IRA, UVF (a little) and other groups. Documentary : The Two Faces of Bandit Country : In a corner of Northern Delivering an Acknowledgement of Country - NSW Public Service Commission I thought, will I die here? the retired senior police officer recalls. Its a very vivid image for me.. In August of that year, two South Armagh men were shot and one killed by the British Army in Belfast, having been mistaken for gunmen. [62] The Dromintee sniper party was never caught. Born in England, Harnden was imprisoned in Zimbabwe, prosecuted in Britain for protecting confidential sources, and vindicated by a $23 million public inquiry in Ireland. During reading I came to regard it more as fiction, but on checking, it is stated as non-fiction. When the weather closed in, that meant helicopters couldnt fly and you were left very vulnerable. Killed by: Republican Action Force (RepAF)Found shot, Tullymacreeve, near Forkhill, County Armagh. Between 1971 and the erection of the hilltop sites in the mid-1980s (the first in 1986), 84 members of the security forces were killed in the Crossmaglen and Forkhill areas by the IRA. The workers bus was stopped and the one Catholic worker taken aside before the others were killed. While there is a police presence they would regularly be up at the church with speed guns its unlike other areas, he says. Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton, 2000. He holds a First Class degree in modern history from Oxford and is the author of Bandit Country: The IRA & South Armagh and Dead Men Risen: An Epic Story of War and Heroism in Afghanistan. South Armagh was the prime place to use such weapon because of the availability of Brits. This figure is based on a tally of all persons resident in the wards comprising County Armagh on 29 April 2001, i.e. [33] An RUC investigation following the latter shooting led to the discovery of one Barrett M82, hidden in a derelict house. Bandit country: Funding to preserve historical south Armagh land [33] The shooting down of the Lynx in 1994 during a mortar attack on Crossmaglen barracks is regarded by Toby Harnden as the most successful IRA operation against a helicopter in the course of the Troubles. [29] The South Armagh Brigade also built the bombs that were used to wreck economic targets in London during the 1990s, specially hitting the financial district. We just sort of got on with things because if youre living under that sort of oppression, and it was oppression, its something that you carry with you. 'Bandit country' : the IRA and South Armagh : Harnden, Toby : Free [14], The southern part of the county has been a stronghold of support for the IRA, earning it the nickname "Bandit Country". A former foreign correspondent for the Sunday Times of London and the Daily Telegraph who reported from thirty-three countries, he specializes in terrorism and war. [50], Senior IRA figures in South Armagh, notably Thomas Murphy, are alleged to have been involved in large-scale smuggling across the Irish border and money-laundering. [35] At least in one incident, after the killing of a soldier in Forkhill on 17 March 1993, the British Army fired back at the snipers vehicle without effect. Theres no way in 1986 you could have foreseen where we are now because it was helicopters, it was the army, it was horrible, people were getting killed. It was later determined that this rifle was the weapon responsible for the first killing in South Armagh in 1992. Your email address will not be published. Northern Ireland Railways / Iarnrd ireann's Enterprise service provides connections to Dublin in little over an hour and Belfast in little over forty minutes, several times daily. [6], South Armagh has a long Irish republican tradition. [12] Another noted IRA commander at that time was the commanding officer of the first battalion, Captain Michael McVerry. Quite possibly the best book I've ever read on the troubles. Still, the level of violence, murder, and lawlessness carried out by the Provisional IRA in South Armagh was off the charts. In the aul days, by this stage theyd been out asking me what I was doing, he tells Walsh. View all copies of this ISBN edition: Synopsis. I suddenly got a promotion and was going to work in a helicopter. [25] Harnden recalls a Belgian FN FAL rifle recovered by the Garda near Inniskeen in 1998 as the possible source of these bullets. [8], The AR-18 Armalite rifle became the weapon of choice for IRA members at this time. ProtestantStatus: Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). The area had developed a reputation as an IRA stronghold and a place where the British army regularly . [6] The majority of soldiers shot dead in 1972 (the bloodiest year of the conflict in Northern Ireland) fell victim to IRA snipers. [5] According to Harnden, there were two different teams,[28] one responsible for the east part of South Armagh, around Dromintee, the other for the west, in the area surrounding Cullyhanna. They carried out 23 attacks on British Army helicopters during the Troubles, bringing four down on separate occasions: the Gazelle shot down in February 1978 near Jonesborough,[16] a Lynx in June 1988, while in 1994 another Lynx and an RAF Puma were shot down in March and July respectively. Photograph: Stephen Davison. Bandit country: Funding to preserve historical south Armagh land 521 ratings38 reviews South Armagh was described as "Bandit Country" by Merlyn Rees when he was Northern Ireland Secretary, and for nearly three decades it has been the most dangerous posting in the world for a British soldier. But the walkway is still the same from where I would have come.
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