Northern Ireland

British military Covid support will only be based at 'certain hospitals' due to dissident threat

Robin Swann said he asked for support from British military last week. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire.
Robin Swann said he asked for support from British military last week. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire. Robin Swann said he asked for support from British military last week. Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire.

BRITISH army personnel brought in to assist nurses during the Covid surge will only be based at certain hospitals due to security risks.

Health minister Robin Swann yesterday confirmed 100 medically trained military staff will provide "nursing support to a number of local trusts" across Northern Ireland.

The Irish News understands dissident republican security threats will prevent the deployment of army members to particular hospitals, with concerns about Derry's Altnagelvin, the South West Acute in Enniskillen and the Royal Victoria in Belfast.

When asked to comment, a Ministry of Defence (MoD) last night said: "Due to understandable security concerns we will not be to discuss the location of the service personnel who will be assisting in this effort.

"However you can be assured that they be utilised in areas with the greatest need."

As the north's health service prepares for a peak in hospital intensive care Covid admissions, Mr Swann said he made the formal request for military assistance last week when he became aware that a number of medical technicians were available.

Read More: Unison says it does not object to British military support in Covid fight

A similar request last April led to criticism from Sinn Féin who accused the health minister of acting unilaterally.

Asked during a press briefing whether the deployment could lead to an increased security risk, Mr Swann said "shame on" anyone who would target the health service

"I sincerely hope this will not be viewed as a divisive decision because I can assure it is not," he told an Executive press conference.

Sinn Féin did not oppose yesterday's development.

A party spokesman said: "We do not rule out any measures...and any effort to make the threat posed by Covid-19 into a green and orange issue is divisive and a distraction."

It is unclear if those deployed are already based in the north or will travel from Britain.

When asked to comment on where the 100 army personnel will come from and whether they will have to self-isolate if travelling from a tier 4 area, the MoD said it did not have that information.

It is believed all three services - navy, RAF and army - could supply the medical staff..

The development comes as the department confirmed a further 22 coronavirus deaths and 905 new cases.