Nationalists welcome dismantling of watchtowers

Sinn Féin has welcomed the swift decision of army chiefs to start the process of tearing down military watchtowers in south Armagh.

The move was announced in the wake of the IRA's unprecedented declaration of an end to activities

Unionists, though, are incensed by the military scale-down, describing it as criminally irresponsible.

Work is underway on the removal of a hilltop tower near Camlough, a look-out post at Newtownhamilton and on the vacation and closure of Forkhill.