Operation Banner Ends After 38 Years

From this Wednesday, policing in the North of Ireland will return to normalcy with the ending of British Army support for the PSNI.

The end of 'Operation Banner' marks the completion of a two-year process of demilitarization in the North as life returns to normal there.

'Operation Banner' - the military support for policing - began 38 years ago to try and counter street riots, interfactional clashes and bombings.

With a lifetime of 38 years, became the longest operation in British military history.

Despite the end of the Army's support for the PSNI, their will be no immediate reduction in troop numbers since the force levels based in the North are already below the 5,000 level which was set for the peace-time garrison.

British Army bomb disposal teams will maintain a presence to counter the continuing low-level threat from dissident republicans groups.

Colonel Wayne Harber, the deputy commander of 39 Infantry Brigade - the last operational brigade in the North - said: "The ending of Operation Banner is a moment for reflection in terms of what has gone before and what has been done over 38 years.

"The great thing is the ending of the conflict in Northern Ireland and the optimism with which the people look forward to the future; we share that optimism."

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern T.D., welcomed the announced completion of the two-year programme of security normalisation.

"This is a further significant step towards the realisation of a normal, peaceful, and prosperous society in Northern Ireland," he told reporters.

"After 38 years, military operations in Northern Ireland are over.  Troop numbers have been enormously reduced, watchtowers are gone, army patrols have ended.  All joint military-PSNI bases have been closed."

"The change in the political and security reality of Northern Ireland since the normalisation programme came into effect in 2005 has been even more dramatic than we could have hoped.  This has been recognised by the decision to close four further military bases by April next year. "

"We will continue to discuss the scope for further normalisation measures with the British Government in the period ahead."

"Against this background and as we look forward to the devolution of justice and security next year, continued paramilitary activity must be brought quickly to a final end and full decommissioning delivered."