Mixed Message from British Army - McGibbon

Uladh Organiser of Ógra Shinn Féin Johnny McGibbon has accused the British Army of sending out ‘mixed messages’. He was speaking after he claimed the British Army were trying to recruit members of the public in Belfast ’s Shafesbury Square on the day in which ‘operation banner' was supposed to come to an end.

Mr McGibbon said,

“Today was meant to be a day when the British army’s ‘operation banner’ was brought to an end. Yet we see members of that same army recruiting on the streets of Belfast. Clearly there are mixed signals coming from the British army. I wonder what was the reasoning behind this latest recruitment campaign."

Mr McGibbon also said the British Army’s departure wasn’t a day too soon.

“The Irish people will be glad to see the back of the British army. They have brought death, destruction and carnage where they have went and continue to do so in places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Whilst the British Army has left, their destructive legacy remains in very many places throughout Ireland."

"Indeed in certain media circles the British army are being portrayed as some sort mediators in the Irish conflict. However it is British interference in Irish affairs which is why there is conflict in Ireland. And whilst the British army have ended their operation in Ireland there will still remain 5,000 British troops in Ireland. To us as Irish republicans this is unacceptable and we won’t settle until the last vestige of British rule in Ireland is removed from our country."