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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Border Crossing Report.

British Army Border Incursions at Bonahill

Summary

Blaney reported repeated British army incursions and road checks near Bonahill, while Lenihan said Garda investigations lacked witness statements sufficient for a protest. He agreed to ask the Garda to monitor the remote area further. Lenihan rejected Cluskey’s suggestion that the incursions were connected to an agreement with Britain; Harte remarked that they should not occur but had.

asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the British army patrols from the Six Counties observed crossing the Border at Bonahill on the Cashelard Road in County Donegal; and if he has made any protests to the British Government about this matter.

Comment on this

The only reports available to me of an incursion in the area mentioned by the Deputy referred to an incursion on 23 November last. The reports available to the Garda were not sufficient to enable me to have an approach made to the British authorities about the matter.

Comment on this

My information is that since Christmas there have been continuous incursions, in addition to which in some cases road checks have been carried out. I do not know what to do because the Minister's information is that nothing is happening. Mine is very positively that something is happening.

Comment on this
Joseph Brennan An Ceann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

A question, Deputy.

Comment on this

What are we supposed to do? To photograph them or something like that?

Comment on this

The Garda have investigated and made a report on the matter and nobody in the area was willing to make a statement to them about the incursion alleged. That is my information. There are incursions which we have proved and we have made protests, but in this case there was not sufficient evidence.

Comment on this

Would the Minister contact the Garda further and ask them to keep an eye on this remote place through which many of our people must travel? It is not greatly inhabited; nevertheless it is being visited frequently by the British army.

Comment on this

I will take it up on that basis.

Comment on this

Is it possible that these incursions are part of the agreement that was reached by the previous Taoiseach and carried on by the present Taoiseach and the British Government?

Comment on this

That is absolute nonsense.

Comment on this

Is the agreement nonsense or——

Comment on this

The Deputy is talking absolute nonsense. There is no connection whatever and Deputy Blaney is well aware of that. He has asked a constructive question. The Deputy is trying to muddy the waters.

Comment on this

Within the terms would this possibly account for this incursion by the British army?

Comment on this

It has nothing to do with it.

Comment on this

In other words, it should not arise but it did.

Comment on this