I thank Deputy Kirk for raising this important matter. The Government regards unauthorised incursions by both the British military and the Police Service of Northern Ireland into this jurisdiction as a serious matter. On each occasion on which the Department is notified of an incident, the matter is immediately raised with the British authorities and a report is sought from the Garda Síochána.
The facts as I am informed as follows. At approximately 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 11 February, a large patrol consisting of officers of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, accompanied by members of the British army, allegedly made an unauthorised incursion into this jurisdiction in the area of Ferryhill, Omeath, County Louth. Details of this unauthorised incursion were brought to my attention on the morning of 12 February. My officials raised this matter with the relevant British authorities through the offices of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast. Our serious concern regarding this incident was conveyed and an immediate and detailed explanation sought. Officials also asked the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to seek a report into the circumstances of this incident from the Garda Síochána. This preliminary report states that at 7.30 p.m. on 11 February 2004, a telephone call was received at Omeath Garda station. It was reported at this time that 15 to 20 British soldiers and PSNI officers were in this jurisdiction at Carnamocklagh, in Omeath, near Davey's public house, between Border crossing points Nos. 1 and 2. In addition to this telephone call, several local people also made similar reports detailing the incursion, some of whom have now made statements to that effect to local gardaí.
The Omeath Garda patrol car went to the scene but the soldiers and PSNI officers were not at that time present in the area. Reports have indicated that the soldiers and PSNI officers were all armed and had travelled between 400 and 800 metres south of the Border. In line with agreed procedures, this information was then conveyed to the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast.
The British authorities responded to our requests for information on this alleged incursion on the afternoon of 12 February. They confirmed that there was a joint British army/PSNI patrol in the Ferryhill area at around 7 p.m. on the date in question, but advised that at no time did they go within 700 metres of the Border. As eyewitness statements contradict this account of events, this response was deemed to be insufficient to address our concerns. Officials, therefore, made a further request to the British authorities for an explanation of the discrepancy between the two versions of events and for further details of those soldiers and PSNI officers involved. The British authorities have reiterated their response that no incursion took place at Omeath last Wednesday.
The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has confirmed to me today information obtained from the Garda to the effect that seven separate witnesses have made statements claiming the opposite to be the case. They allege that the group of soldiers and PSNI officers entered the State at Border crossing point No. 1 and left again at Border crossing No. 2. These crossing points are approximately 550 metres apart. These witness statements appear to be quite detailed with regard to the exact position of the Northern security forces. Consequently, I have further raised the issue with the British authorities and in light of these witness statements have asked them to revisit the issue. Most reported cases involve a relatively small number of troops, police officers or military helicopters briefly crossing the border. They tend to be the result of navigational error on the part of security personnel new to Northern Ireland. The Omeath incident, therefore, was not typical as a relatively large number of soldiers and PSNI officers were in attendance.
I am fully aware of the concerns of people living in Border areas about the entry into the State by the British security forces. As Deputy Kirk has pointed out, it is clear that these incidents are problematic and a cause of anxiety to locals living in Border areas. Some people see such incidents not as mere navigational errors, but as deliberate acts. If they are not thoroughly convincing, the subsequent explanations for such incidents are often viewed with distrust and scepticism, particularly by the local community.
More broadly, progress continues towards full security normalisation throughout Northern Ireland, as envisaged by the Good Friday Agreement and the Joint Declaration. The Government has repeatedly stressed to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland that all aspects of the Agreement, including the reduction in the numbers and role of the security forces deployed in Northern Ireland, need to be fully implemented. The number of security installations should be reduced to a level compatible with a normal and peaceful society.
It should also be noted that, as envisaged in the Joint Declaration in an enabling context of acts of completion, the British Government agreed to the complete normalisation of security arrangements and the reduction, in effect, of British Army levels to those prevalent in 1969. Such a development would reduce the possibility of cross-Border incursions on the part of the British army. Over 40 military installations have been closed, vacated or demolished to date. Troops have been withdrawn from ten police stations and troop levels have been significantly reduced overall. Last week's announced closure of the barracks at Aughnacloy, County Tyrone, and the British army post at Clooney, County Derry, is another positive step towards this normalisation of security personnel and infrastructure. I am sure this development is welcomed, particularly by those living in Border areas.
I will continue to remind the British authorities of the seriousness of incursions by British security forces into this State. My officials will seek to resolve the discrepancies between the official British response and the statements given to the Garda. It is important that the facts are established to guide our responses and to ensure that every precaution is taken to prevent a recurrence of incursions. l assure Deputy Kirk of the unremitting attention of the Department in this matter.