Northern Ireland

State papers: US Consul complained about border checkpoint

Royal Irish border checkpoint in Co Tyrone
Royal Irish border checkpoint in Co Tyrone Royal Irish border checkpoint in Co Tyrone

THE US Consul General in Belfast was among those complaining about "unsightly and frightening appearance" and inordinate delays caused by many cross-border British Army checkpoints in the early 1990s.

The issue was first raised with the authorities by the chairman of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB), Sir Hugh O'Neill on May 9 1990 with NIO under-secretary Richard Needham.

He expressed concern at "the intimidating appearance of the surface entry points into NI from the Republic".

Noting most visitors entered the north from the south, Sir Hugh asked if more could be done on the border "so as to give a more friendly welcome to the visitor", suggesting they should seek European funding to assist in the landscaping of the checkpoints.

A meeting at Stormont on June 27 1990 with Mr Needham, NIO officials and Colonel Strudley from HQNI discussed the physical measures used to seal off the Law Courts in Belfast and the "sometimes fearsome" mode of dress and patrolling of soldiers in Belfast city centre which the minister felt was off-putting to both shoppers and visitors.

They considered the appearance of permanent vehicle checkpoints (PVCs) on the border and Mr Needham announced that a refurbishment programme had been agreed costing £50,000 per checkpoint as it was "important...not to leave the impression (with visitors) that they were coming to an armed camp".

The issue was raised by the Fermanagh Unionist politician, Lord Brookeborough on November 18 1990, prompting a visit by NIO officials to review the Fermanagh border in January 1991.

In a report to Mr Needham, W K Lindsay of the NIO's Political Affairs Division found "unanimity" among both Protestants and Catholics that the Boa Island PVC was sited in the wrong place, not serving any useful function and could be by-passed.

A local postmaster, whose wife was a district nurse, said the Boa Island checkpoint "effectively excluded them from the rest of Northern Ireland", with night-time closure adding to their sense of isolation.

Nationalists, the official reported, "would not think of negotiating the checkpoint", but instead used an alternative route which Protestants regarded as "a hostile area".

He informed the minister: "The feeling of isolation felt by the Protestant community is very noticeable in this area. There is wide support for the idea of increased patrolling by the security forces."

In April 1993, US Consul General Douglas B Archard complained to the head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, David Fell about an unacceptable delay he had experienced at the Cloghogue checkpoint on the Newry-Dundalk road when attending the opening of the Slieve Gullion Courtyard, sponsored by the International Fund for Ireland as a tourist enhancement project.

He reported being held up for 30 minutes "for no good reason", with such delays unlikely to assist tourism.

"A person less charitable to the security forces than I am would ascribe the delay to harassment of the population by the security forces.

"I wonder how often one would return, even to such a beautiful place as Slieve Gullion, if a visit means wasting so much time waiting to have a licence plate read."

Mr Fell replied that he could complain directly to the military.

Fermanagh Unionist politician, Lord Brookeborough raised the issue on November 18 1990
Fermanagh Unionist politician, Lord Brookeborough raised the issue on November 18 1990 Fermanagh Unionist politician, Lord Brookeborough raised the issue on November 18 1990