But
as the political situation in the North worsened after 1969 with the burning of
Bombay Street
and the arrival in our town of refugees from Belfast, estates in Newry – such as Derrybeg
– began to feel vulnerable from possible attack, not just from the British Army
and the RUC but from loyalists from Bessbrook, Kilkeel and other parts.
The
Catholic Ex-Servicemen’s Association appeared and offered advice and
support.Various Defence Associations
appeared at the same time.Often
barricades were erected at the entrances to our estate.
I
recall at one well-attended public meeting at the Community Centre the late Joe
Henry addressed the audience giving instructions on how to prime a bomb and to
assemble a Bren sub-machine gun!
Another
night, arriving home from the night-desk at The Irish News where I worked I
discovered a hijacked lorry, now manned by masked men, blocking the entrance to
the estate.I parked by car above in Hospital Road and
walked across the Camlough Road
into the estate.I was very conscious
that hidden British soldiers were probably at that moment training their rifles
on me from the top of the Egyptian Arch – and also that the estate’s residents
were keeping an eye on everything.
On
reaching the barrier, I offered a hearty “Good morning, gentlemen” to the
masked men and proceeded on my way to my home at Fifth Avenue, some 50 metres
onwards.
Reminiscence 
