Nineteen officers hurt as mob attacks watchtowers

At least 19 police officers were injured today when crowds attacked two security force watchtowers on the South Armagh border and then broke into Crossmaglen police station attacking police and troops inside.

Two of the injured officers were airlifted to hospital with head injuries said a police spokesman.

Police said the violence had clearly been orchestrated and planned from the outset.

A crowd of over 100 protesters attacked the Creevekeeran watchtower with iron bars, petrol bombs, bottles and fireworks.

Nine police were injured when they tried to repel the crowds from cutting their way through perimeter fencing.

Police said it appeared the crowds were taken by bus and car to the neighbouring Drummakavall watchtower where they launched a similar attack, injuring ten officers. Police fired two plastic bullets as they repelled the onslaught.

Next the mob attacked the Crossmaglen police station breaching the main entrance and attacking police and military personnel inside with petrol bombs and other missiles.

A police spokesman said initial reports did not indicate how many casualties there were at the police station.

The spokesman added: ‘‘From the onset it is clear this was a well-orchestrated protest that was never intended to be peaceful.

‘‘The number of police injuries is testament to the fact that violence was the only intention of those involved - violence for which they came obviously well prepared.’’

The security forces earlier this year dismantled two of the string of watchtowers along the South Armagh border in response to the IRA’s start of weapons decommissioning.

Republicans have constantly demanded the removal of the remaining watchtowers.

But the security forces have, to date, resisted insisting they are needed to repel the threat of action by dissident Republicans.