crossmaglen barracks to close

great news for the arron bradys and slab murphys of the world alright . less police is always good or criminals

All of Crossmaglen should be closed.

Been to Cross many times for work and I challenge anybody to say the outworkings of the GFA to restore normality has reached there. Interesting article in the BT which underlines the symbolic significance of the barracks. Should have been gone long ago.

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/northern-ireland/give-crossmaglen-police-station-land-back-to-local-gaa-team-ex-ruc-man-40810577.html

Well you must not have read it either or else you would have seen that failing financial input another alternative was given

The area has been unfairly depicted as 'bandit country' as other border areas. Their 'drug' problems are no more problematic than Dublin's or Belfast's drug problems.

The symbols of the conflict being bulldozed off the face of the planet will help with normality restoration and in giving the community a police force it can trust.

Absolutely predictable the response of belligerent Unionism to all this. They, like some south of the border, have no real interest in the people affected.

Seems to me the critical thing is co-operation between both forces, not buildings that will deter border criminality. 'Border' is the key word here.

But Unionists will resist, couldn't have the PSNI being infected by themuns.

I think these reforms will happen, just more quietly, Let them Never Never away to their hearts content.

Wrong to say there isn't co-operation, it is happening, I have seen it with my own eyes here on the Monaghan Fermanagh border.

Unionists can shout all they want, closer ties are happening everywhere. Because it makes common sense.

This is exactly the type of stereotyping border communities (Bandit country bollixology) have put up with for years. Funny you would use an article, devoid of fact (the very definition of spin) to refute the findings of the PSNI for a return to normal policing.

How the tables have turned. Bryson and Allister want the PSNI disbanded too

How does any stereotype endure Brendi?

By people repeating it unchallenged.

The PSNI had a detailed look at what was required to police the area. Predictable that there are some who want to keep the stereotypes going.

Like the fear of a Truth Commission, the truth cannot be told for fear that the narrative cannot be continued.

The PSNI are afraid Brendi? Seriously?

Can't fathom how people, who apparently voted for the GFA and who are so concerned ordinarily about victims and people (maybe 'some' victims and people would be a better way of putting it) are losing their **** because a community wants to return to normality with the agreement of the police force who think this is long overdue.

Bizarre really.

No idea Francie, I never mentioned the PSNI, I said “people” Francie, commentators, public perception, evidence, all point to an area which is far from normal.

Did XMG get its reputation on the back of tombola stalls, harvest festivals, and garden fetes?

Not many would swallow that, I would suggest.

Why can’t we be honest for a change, I often wonder.

The reason the area is "far from normal" is nothing to do with the nature of the area, it is to do with the nature of government. Why should Crossmaglen have different policiing arrangements than Dunleer? Why should be movement of goods from Dundalk to Forkhill be treated any different than the movement of goods from Dundalk to Knockbridge.

Solve the dysfunctional government and you solve the problem. Continue dysfunctional government and you continue to have a problem.

This report is a partial effort to reduce government dysfunction, but of the course the unionists and their fellow travellers oppose it as they want dysfunction.

So clearly based on nothing but stereotypes and cliche.

The CSO and it's opposite agency in the north will give you the information to construct your case Brendi.

But, never let facts get in the way of good story eh?

They got their reputation for taking out enemy combatants.

Some people never got over the peace process.

"The incident is well known about locally but has not generated a complaint to the PSNI."

The indo reporting gossip again I see

The police report Brendi, were you not listening.

Found it hugely encouraging myself. As I said there is crime like anywhere else, but you and Merlyn Rees (nice bedfellow) assessment far far from the truth on the ground. Which was my point.

Ok, so there is no anti-social behaviour any where else Brendi? No drug crime? No firearms crime?

Fuel laundering is a border specific crime mostly but it also occurs elsewhere

Was the feature prompted not by the crime rate but the PSNI report?

Did anyone use the term 'bandit country' to describe the area now?

Did the programme feature how the area has been left behind in a militarised zone unnecessarily?

Did you notice the change in how the area is being policed?

Did you notice the people working with the police to change the relationships?

Did you notice how people spoke of how demeaning the stereotypes and cliches uninformed people throw about without any data or facts to back them up are?

Did you ask yourself 'am I one of those people?'

Or did you just hear what you wanted to hear and decide, I will double down on using the lazy stereotypes and cliches?

*I am always available to peruse the data that shows these areas to be any worse than anywhere else on the island Brendi whenever you get around to showing us. I have even given you the sources to find that data, so no excuses.

Nice neat way to avoid what has been put to you.

The 'rabbithole' bolthole again.

Get back to me when you can back up a single word you say Brendi without resorting to cliche and stereotype.

You carry on ignoring the facts and the positive stuff in that RTE report. Not hard to know what you are at.

You don't want the truth ever, if that means you can't keep up the narrative. Same as those who don't want a Truth Commission.

The world will move on though.

Stereotypes and cliches are blinkers Brendi.

When you have the data to show they are anything but the above, genuinely all eyes to see it. Until then......

Ah, now we get to it, this is about 'unreported crime'...the exact kind of crime where posters can rely on stereotypes and cliches to go nudge nudge wink wink, a chara.

Good man Brend. QED.