asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the incursion by a British Army helicopter in the Castleblayney area on 25 April 1980, if the matter has been raised with the United Kingdom authorities, and if so, with what result.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Army Incursion.
19.
There was an incursion by a British Army helicopter on 25 April 1980 in the area of Drumacrib, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan. After coming into contact with overhead electricity cables the helicopter landed briefly in the State. Between ten and 12 soldiers disembarked. Subsequently, the helicopter which did not appear to be damaged, flew off towards Northern Ireland but returned a short time later to collect the soldiers.
The incursion lasted for approximately ten minutes at a location about one quarter of a mile from the Border. Permission to land or take off was not sought or given. The matter has been raised with the British Embassy and a reply is awaited.
Is the Minister aware of the serious concern among local people particularly about this incident when British troops actually landed on this side of the Border? Will the Minister continue to make representations to the UK Government to ensure that there will not be any recurrence of this type of incident?
I share the Deputy's concern and that of the people in the locality. Damage was caused to ESB overhead cables and there is also the question of possible injuries to cattle frightened by reason of this landing. We are investigating the costs incurred by the ESB and the farmers in the locality. We are following that up and we will pursue the matter.
You will be sending a bill?
Sorry, I have called Deputy Quinn.
Does the Minister not consider a period of three weeks approximately an undue length of time to get a reply from the British authorities?
We are mainly concerned about the costs aspect to which I refer. We are getting the practical information in that respect. We have been encouraged to pursue it on that basis.
I think I am right in saying the Minister indicated that no formal reply has been received from the British authorities to the representations made, and three weeks or thereabouts have elapsed.
No formal reply, but we have had informal contacts.
Did the Minister say no permission had been sought to land?
That is right.
Was permission sought to overfly?
No. This is why we raised it. No permission was sought, or given, or anything of that kind. It was an incursion that did not appear to make sense. They damaged the ESB overhead cables in the course of it. We do not know as yet, but we raised it with the British authorities who will take it up with the British Army.