Business in Newtownhamilton sees sharp decline since security barriers sealed off the Armagh town.
Once the main route between Dundalk and Armagh, Newtownhamilton was a prosperous town. It was also a target for bomb attacks, so in 1973, the British Army erected security barriers.
The cordon means cars entering Newtownhamilton must pass through a checkpoint outside the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) station. These security measures are having an impact on local trade.
Since 1973 seven pubs and 9 businesses have closed down.
In the 14 years that local general practitioner Joe Stewart has lived in the area, he has noticed the once bustling shopping thoroughfare has completely declined.
It's literally a dying community inside the barrier.
Newtownhamilton residents are impacted by the security barriers too.
People who are not in business they probably do have a certain psychological feel about being cut off from the rest of the people who are outside the barrier.
Joe Stewart’s work would benefit from the removal of the barriers. He lives outside the town and must make a 2.5-mile detour to get from one side to the other along a bypass route.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) councillor James Savage realises the barriers at each end of the town have a positive purpose as they protect the community,
But the unfortunate thing about it is that the town died with that protection.
The Central Bar owner Sean O’Rourke would like to see the removal of the barriers despite the potential risk in doing so. He points out,
Other similar towns have been opened up leading to a boom in business.
Despite its proximity to the Monaghan border, Newtownhamilton has never experienced the boost from Republic of Ireland shoppers.
We have no southern trade which we should have.
He sees other towns in Northern Ireland adjacent to the border having a boom time.
Towns full of southern shoppers who are spending money.
Any decision to change security in Newtownhamilton must be made by the British Army and the RUC. The RUC is reviewing the situation.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 17 October 1984. The reporter is Michael Fisher.
