BY MARK MCKELVEY

m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com

IRISH Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern has confirmed that the helicopter activity on May 9 in the Ballynahatty area just outside Omagh, was a night-time training exercise in low-level flying skills .

Mr Ahernm's written confirmation follows a meeting of the Inter-Governmental Secretariat. Omagh District Council referred the matter to both the British and Irish governments, following the revelation by the May 10 UlsterHerald that a terrified local family was awakened at 1.20am by the thunderous noise of low-flying helicopers, operating without lights and conducting "some sort of zig-zag manoeuvres above their house".

Following the incident, Sinn Féin Cllr Barry McElduff MLA called for an immediate end to these British Army night-time training exercises.

Speaking at the monthly council meeting on Tuesday night, Cllr McElduff said, "This training has nothing to do with the North; it is to do with training for Iraq, and Ballynahatty is not a suitable for exercises of this kind as it inconvenienced, frightened and intimidated these local families.

"I received a number of complaints concerning this night-time activity by the British Army that not only frightened people but also their livestock."

Cllr McElduff proposed the council write to new Secretary of State Shaun Woodward demanding an immediate end to this British army practice. This proposal was seconded by his Sinn Féin colleague Cllr Sean Begley, who said, "It is not acceptable that the Ministry of Defence should be able to traumatise people in this way in the future."

DUP Cllr Charlie Chittick said, "I think we in Northern Ireland, after coming out of conflict after 30 years would not feel too concerned and put out by low flying aircrafts.

"It is not fair to say that this training is simply to do with Iraq in light of what is taking place across the water in England and Scotland with the recent terrorist threats there, said Cllr Chittick. "We may not like it in our own backyard but they need to use somewhere for this training. Low-flying aircraft training here may be an advantage if Northern Ireland becomes a target for Al Queda."

UUP council chairman, Cllr Bert Wilson said, "I am a resident of the Ballynahatty area and have seen and heard this activity, but I wouldn't pass no remark when they fly overhead not bothering me or my animals."

Concluding this debate, Cllr McElduff asserted, "The people of rural Tyrone will not be treated as guinea- pigs and people see this as an act of aggression."

The motion to contact the Secretary of State was agreed.