Following the historic IRA statement last week, and the resultant demilitarisation of a number of British Army bases across the North, there is speculation that the demilitarisation of Divis Tower will begin today.
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, Chairman of the Divis Residents' Association, John Leathem said he had it on good authority that the British army would begin taking down cameras from the notorious spy base that has been positioned on top of the West Belfast tower block since 1970.
"In the last report issued on demilitarisation, Divis Tower was earmarked for removal and I have been led to believe that this will begin tomorrow [Monday] with cameras being removed from the site."
The British Army spy base has been a source of great anger for the West Belfast community for over 30 years, with murders taking place in the tower's shadow.
"We have always asked for the tower to be demilitarised," added Mr Leathem. "There are ten flats up there, on floors 18 and 19, occupied by the British army, that could be given over to homeless people in desperate need of permanent housing.
"The spy base has never served its alleged purpose, with people shot dead by loyalists, and shot dead from the tower, it has invaded the privacy of people in West Belfast and in Divis for many years and it's great to see it go."
Speaking to the Andersonstown News, a spokesperson for the British army described the speculation that Divis Tower would be demilitarised today, or indeed, this week, as "pure speculation", adding that, "at this stage, the Ministry of Defence keeps its estate and troop numbers under regular review."
