Generosity on GAA pitch urged

THE British army's use of the GAA ground at Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is "provocative" and has caused "serious offence", a Fianna…

THE British army's use of the GAA ground at Crossmaglen, Co Armagh, is "provocative" and has caused "serious offence", a Fianna Fail TD said.

Mr Brendan Smith told the British Irish Inter Parliamentary Body that he hoped the British Ministry of Defence would "show some generosity" on this issue.

He urged the ministry to act on a recommendation in a report by the culture, education and environment committee of the body to "reconsider" its use of the facilities at Crossmaglen.

A British Labour MP, Mr John Home Robertson, said the members of the body should not delude themselves.

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"There are some fairly dangerous and malign people operating in that part of Ireland, and I say that with some feeling, not least, because there was a very determined attempt made to kill two young men from my constituency with an improvised flamethrower in that army base in Crossmaglen not so very long ago.

"I fear that there are people who would not be beyond taking advantage of any special agreement."

Mr Henry Bellingham (Conservative) said he could understand the sensitivity of the issue. "I've had constituents who've served in Crossmaglen, constituents who've been shot at."

He referred to "four sniping incidents involving a high calibre weapon" and "a helicopter that was actually shot down by a mortar."

He called for greater sporting co operation on a North South basis. If the "two soccer associations merged, "they would have an even better team than the Republic of Ireland have got now."

The culture, education and environment committee in the report stated: "We are encouraged that so many sporting bodies, are constituted on an all Ireland, basis, and we hope that many of those which are organised according to political boundaries will consider forming all Ireland bodies."