Three charged with public order offences in south Armagh

Police in the North have charged three men with public order offences in connection with a violent protest at a British army watchtower in south Armagh last December.

The three were arrested during dawn raids in south Armagh today. They have since been released and are expected in court next month.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said 19 of its members and three British soldiers were injured during the disturbances last December.

Some of those arrested this morning have accused the police of brutality and at least one case is being forwarded to the Police Ombudsman for investigation.

One of those charged was Peter Caraher, the founder member of the South Armagh Farmers’ and Residents’ Committee, a group campaigning for British demilitarisation in the area.

His wife claimed that armed policemen smashed through their front door this morning and took away her husband while their nine-year-old son looked on in hysterics.

She also alleged that Mr Caraher was beaten by officers in Crossmaglen police station to such an extent that he needed stitches in his head and suffered bruising to his head, face, ribs, foot and hand.