Deformities linked to spy equipment

Emissions from British Army spying equipment has been blamed for gross birth defects in livestock in the South Armagh area.

There are also fears that high-powered surveillance devices are triggering cancer in both humans and animals.

In an extreme case, a two-headed calf has been born within the past three weeks in the area. The farm at which the calf was born is in close proximity to a British Army spy post extensively equipped with low frequency microwave radiation-emitting equipment.

The animal died soon after birth or was still-born at the south Armagh farm.

“I could not believe my eyes when I saw the calf, in fact, it was quite frightening,” he said.

“I went and got my camera and took photographs of it and then buried it on my farm. It had a perfectly formed body and two fully formed heads - it was terrifying,” he added.

Little research has been carried out into the effects of prolonged exposure to microvwave radiation, but anecdotal evidence exists that levels of cancer are elevated in west Belfast and South Armagh, where surveillance is greatest.

“More communication masts, more helicopter flights, more foot patrols, more sickness, more distress for the communities are what we are getting” said one resident.

Sinn Féin Assembly member for Newry & Armagh Conor Murphy said: the British state was “intent on continuing to damage the health and environment of people in this area as they continue to pursue their dirty war against the republican and nationalist people.

“There is no justification for the spy posts, helicopter flights or checkpoints in the South Armagh area. Indeed there is no possible justification for the continuing presence of British Army in this country at all.

“I will be raising the health implications of the continuing military occupation of South Armagh with the two governments and Tony Blair can be rest assured that this continuing occupation will be on his talks agenda in September.”