Kingmills Massacre Families 'Disturbed'

Families of those killed in the IRA Kingsmills Massacre have received a preview of the report into the bloody murders of their loved ones after an investigation by the Historical Enquiries Team (HET).

They gathered at the Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR) offices in Markethill today to hear their findings on the tragic event and said that the report confirms much of what they already believed.

It found that the IRA was indeed responsible for the atrocity and that the 10 victims were targeted simply because of their religion.

According to FAIR founder, Willie Frazer, it was a very emotional morning for the victims, hearing many new and disturbing details, which will shock many.

"The full horror of the events will be made public in Bessbrook this Tuesday when the report is made available to the wider world," he said today.

"The Kingsmill massacre was the single most sectarian act perpetrated during the troubles, 10 Protestants lined up and shot repeatedly while the Catholic was told to flee.

"It will take some time for the families to absorb the graphic details of this slaughter but an official launch for the public and media has been planned for next Tuesday when those who wish will comment publicly."

The long-standing anti-terrorist activist said: "Republicans have over the years tried to distance themselves from this atrocity in an attempt to paint themselves as whiter than white freedom fighters but the HET report will put to bed any notion than this was anything other than cold blooded sectarian murder.

"As well as coping with the distressing details of this atrocity the families also have to endure the indignity of being made victims a second time due to lack of funding in the victims sector.

"We hear much about the vast amounts of money being made available but the reality is that at a time such as this FAIR's funding, and indeed many other groups funding has been withheld and we are unable to help these people in their greatest hour of need," he continued.

"We would once again appeal to the Stormont First & Deputy First Minister's Officer (OFMDFM) to do all they can to help victims, not next month or next year but 'now today' when people need it most.

"The victims sector has been mismanaged and used as a political football, this must stop and any money needs to be directed to where it is needed most," he insisted.

He also said that he would echo the calls of the Victims Commission for OFMDFM to "get its act together, stop with all the misleading press statements, delaying tactics and do something".

Horror

On 5 January 1976, the 10 textile workers were travelling home from work in the dark and rain on a minibus in the heart of rural Co Armagh.

Just after the van cleared the rise of a hill, there was a man standing in the road flashing a torch.

They stopped and there was the sudden, ominous movement of 11 other men, all armed, emerging from the hedges around them.

Their first thought was that it was the Army, but the gunmen were masked.

A man asked their religions. There was only one Catholic left on the bus. He was identified and ordered away from his Protestant work mates. He was able to run off.

The lead gunman spoke one other word - "Right" - and the shooting began. One man, Alan Black was shot 18 times, but was the only one to survive.

Almost all the men came from Bessbrook in south Armagh, and included two bothers.

They were Joseph Lemmon, whose wife was standing over their tea as he died; Reginald Chapman, a Sunday school teacher who played football for Newry Town; his younger brother Walter Chapman; Kenneth Worton, whose youngest daughter had not even started school; James McWhirter, who belonged to the local Orange lodge; Robert Chambers, still a teenager and living with his parents; James McConville, who was planning to train as a missionary; John Bryans, a widower who left two children orphaned; and Robert Freeburn, who was also a father of two.

The van driver, Robert Walker, came from near Glenanne.

The IRA never admitted involvement and was supposed to be on ceasefire at the time.

The full HET report is expected to be made public on 21 Jun, after it reinvestigated the killings as part of work spanning three decades of conflict.

Part of the investigation centres on claims that guns used that night may be linked to as many as 90 other murders and attempted murders.

Meanwhile in response to this week's negative comments by the Acting Chair of the Commission for Victims and Survivors, Brendan McAllister - that were quoted by Mr Frazer - the top two Executive Ministers have responded.

First Minister Peter D Robinson and the Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have today written to Mr McAllister.

In their letter, they have expressed their disappointment that Mr McAllister did not seek a meeting with them in relation to concerns over what he described as 'pressure points' in the victims sector, before going public on the issue.

The Ministers also said that they have always been happy to facilitate meetings with the Commission and they have extended an invitation to Mr McAllister and his fellow Commissioners to meet with them to discuss their issues of concern.

(BMcC/GK)