The deployment of the paratroopers, which began in April had already been criticised by republican activist and former Member of Parliament Bernadette Devlin McAliskey, who denounced beatings, shootings and damages to property reportedly carried out by the troops."British army terrorises Irish town", Greenleft.org, 1 July 1992. These previous incidents included the destruction of fishing gear and boats in the townland of Kinturk, near Ardboe. Unionist politician and Ulster Defence Regiment officer Ken Maginnis, then-Member of Parliament for the area, called for the withdrawal of the regiment after receiving a large number of complaints about their behaviour.Kennedy-Pipe, Caroline (1997). The origins of the present troubles in Northern Ireland. Longman, p. 164;
