Troops start Riot

How the appearance of British. troops, armed and in their provocative riot-gear, turned an evenings harmless fun into a serious riot was described in Lurgan court last week.

Charges of disorderly behaviour were discussed against two youths Stewart, when it became clear from the evidence that the riot had been entirely caused by the appearance of troops in a residential area with instructions "disperse'’ a crowd of people watching a bonfire.

The incident occurred at Shankill] Street, Lurgan on August 15th. Inspector P.J. Rooney of Lurgan R.U.C. said he had received a complaint about the bonfire. He= proceeded to Shankill Street (presumably to investigate) accompanied by a section of the Queen's Lanarkshire Regiment in full riot-gear and complete with army snatch-squad. Asked why he had to bring the troops along, Rooney said ''There was not sufficient police in Lurgan at the time."

When the troops arrived they were formed up in rows of eight with shields, batons, gas canisters etc. What they found was a crowd of 50 people standing round a bonfire. ‘There was a peaceful crowd around a bonfire" Private Whittaker said in evidence. "There seemed to be no necessity for the troops to be there'’. The situation appeared the same to another army witness, Lance Corporal Noad. He said that he saw people standing round a bonfire; one of them told him it was a peaceful crowd and that they did not want trouble. Lance Corporal Noad, however, had "orders to disperse the crowd, and this applied whether it was a peaceful crowd or not. We were not told it was peaceful before we arrived."

of the area resented their being shoved around by the Army's Army tried to put them off their with tear gas, and arrests were made.

Dismissing the charges, the R.M. said "The army had arrived in Shankill Street to’ find an entirely peaceful situation with a Mardi Gras (festival) atmosphere’. It had developed into a riot.

Up until August of last year, Peoples Democracy demanded the immediate disarming of the for an unarmed police force been met, than the British Army began to act as an armed police force.

carry out attacks on residential areas and generally behave in as provocative a manner as the R.U.C. ever did.

Besides, there are now far more armed troops at large on the streets than there ever were armed R.U.C. men.

about an "unarmed police force" when any R.U.C, inspector can call-up a platoon of the British Army and invade a/residential area on the excuse that "there were not enough police"

DISARM THE TROOPS Now.

to new premises at 53, High Street. The premises consist of two offic and are for the exclusiv use of the Peoples DemoCracy. The move is effect ive from Thursday 3rd September. It is only a-farce to talk BELFAST P.D.

Belfast P.D. has moved

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BELFAST PD MEETING EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT 8pm 53 HIGH STREET:

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FREE CITIZEN 4th SEPTEMBER 1970 flood victims