Surfers and walkers say army blocked Bundoran beach access

[sgt]

Surfers and walkers claimed they were denied access to Tullan Strand by a soldier on sentry duty near a path leading down the cliff side to the beach.

They said they were told the path was closed during the exercise on land to the rear of Finner Camp, but insist while it was accepted that the dunes above the strand were out of bounds during exercises, beach access had never been blocked.

The locals said that about 40 people, including a surf school of 14 youngsters and their two instructors, were denied access to the beach for about half an hour before the dispute was resolved after angry calls to Finner.

An Army spokesman at Finner later denied beach access was blocked. But he said sentries would be firm about ensuring nobody went to the dunes during shooting on the firing range behind them

[trellheim]

Perfectly in line with the law ... section 274 of the Act

274.—In any area specified in a manoeuvres authorisation order or in the vicinity of any place used for artillery, rifle, bombing or other army, naval or air practices, the officer in command of the portion of the Defence Forces engaged in the manoeuvres or in such practices may temporarily stop all traffic by land or water in that area or in the vicinity of that place so far as in his opinion may be necessary for the security of life and the proper conduct of the manoeuvres or such practices.

[Barry]

Moved to army to allow discussion on the matter.

[Muzzle]

What a storm in a tea-cup people need to relax.

[Goldie fish]

If there was perforated bodies on the beach would they be happier?

[johnny no stars]

Why can't we stop people on Gormo then, if I'm allowed ask? Nothing more frustrating than a detail lined up ready to fire to find some moron wants to exercise their right to walk along the beach

[hptmurphy]

Aren't live fire exercises posted in newspapers to warn those who might be likely to be in the area.

have seen them for Kilcoran.

the other point I rememeber from firing in the Glen Of Imaal that the sentries are merely to advise persons who may wander into the area.

I have no problem if a sentry does his job and warns people strenously that they may be in danger , after all if he had not been posted and the surfers had wandered into the danger zone I reckon the recriminations against the army would be far greater.

Police state and heavy handed army..any chance to have a go by those who think their freedom is being encoached on...might be worth the Ary's while as a PR exercise to perform alive fire power demo to show how leathal these weapons can be.

Make the tree huggers thing twice and realise these sentries are there for their own protection

[Dazzler]

When there is Arty fire in the Glen the Sentries are not allowed to stop people entering but they are supposed to tell them its illegal and if they enter the Guards will be called and they will be arrested.


But you don't say that until they persist (Which they never do)

[sgt]

When there is Arty fire in the Glen the Sentries are not allowed to stop people entering but they are supposed to tell them its illegal and if they enter the Guards will be called and they will be arrested.


But you don't say that until they persist (Which they never do)

i know from Gormo that we cant stop people even when Artillary are firing. they can only be advised that there is firing in progress and is not safe to pass. but we cant actually stop them

[concussion]

And stop that shoot while people walk the beach under the gun-line.

[womble]

Perfectly in line with the law ... section 274 of the Act

274.—In any area specified in a manoeuvres authorisation order or in the vicinity of any place used for artillery, rifle, bombing or other army, naval or air practices, the officer in command of the portion of the Defence Forces engaged in the manoeuvres or in such practices may temporarily stop all traffic by land or water in that area or in the vicinity of that place so far as in his opinion may be necessary for the security of life and the proper conduct of the manoeuvres or such practices.

That says it all.

Ref Gormo, I have seen an officer order a sentry to stop persons passing into the danger area temporarily.

My surprise was that the article about Bundoran didn't mention that the firing would have been advertised previous to it took place.

The Sentry has to be good with the public though, you don't want to come across in anyway bad.

What happens if the O/C uses 274 and the member of public ignores the sentry. Sentry obviously can't restrain them, is it up to the Guards to arrest or can anything be done?

[trellheim]

Mr The Fish ?

[johnny no stars]

Womble, what luxury.... It's normally a case of "civillian 2 miles down the beach walking dog and refusing to stay away"

"MAKE SAFE"


although I'm sure you remember all that *UGH*. Seriously, it's dangerous for people to be walking by. Why can't there be a blanket rule whereby DF personnel are allowed and obliged to restrain civilians from passing by live firing? Less disruption to all as instead of about a million bloody disturbances thanks to Jimmy McExercisingMyRightToWalkPast, it's over and done with faster.

This is a sore subject. I hate waiting. Patience is not somethign I have in abundance.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Been there, done that.Had a civvie insisting on his right to walk on Gormo beach while Fougas were air-firing on beach targets.One of them obligingly dived down and strafed the target.That old guy could sure move fast when the bullets started chewing up the sand!! Anyone stupid enough to insist on their right to put themselves in danger should be allowed to continue.Darwin will decide!
regards
GttC

[Goldie fish]

They are all orangemen at heart.