Kingsmills families '˜stunned to silence' at criminal investigation breakthrough

A criminal investigation has been launched into the Kingsmills massacre based on forensic evidence.
The bullet riddled minibus in which the murdered workers were travelling stands at the side of the lonely country road where the massacre occurred at Kingsmill outside Whitecross. Ten protestant work men were shot dead by the Provisional IRA.The bullet riddled minibus in which the murdered workers were travelling stands at the side of the lonely country road where the massacre occurred at Kingsmill outside Whitecross. Ten protestant work men were shot dead by the Provisional IRA.
The bullet riddled minibus in which the murdered workers were travelling stands at the side of the lonely country road where the massacre occurred at Kingsmill outside Whitecross. Ten protestant work men were shot dead by the Provisional IRA.

A potential forensic breakthrough has been made by police investigating the murder of 10 workmen in Northern Ireland 40 years ago.

The forensic development in the investigation comes only a week after a new inquest into the atrocity began at Belfast Coroner’s Court.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It is understood a potential palm print match was discovered during re-examination of evidential material.

Relatives of the victims were informed about the find ahead of the scheduled sitting of the inquest on Tuesday.

The print was found on a suspected getaway vehicle.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton, head of the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s legacy and justice department, said: “Due to a recent forensic development, detectives from Legacy Investigation Branch are now following a line of inquiry in relation to the murders at Kingsmill in 1976. A senior investigating officer has now been appointed in order to take this forward.

“We have been liaising with the Coroner’s Office in relation to this and will continue to do so.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The families have also been informed. I appreciate this is a very difficult time for them; however, we are committed to progressing this matter as expeditiously as possible and will keep them updated as appropriate.”

A barrister for many of the families, Neil Rafferty, said they had been “stunned to silence” by the news, which only emerged this morning.

Coroner Brian Sherrard said it was “a massive development”.

The IRA was blamed for killing the textile workers outside the Co Armagh village of Kingsmill in January 1976.

Ten Protestant workmen were shot dead and an eleventh left for dead at Kingsmills crossroads in south Armagh on January 5, 1976.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The workmen had been on their way home to Bessbrook from a mill at Glenanne when their minibus was pulled over by republican gun men.

The atrocity was claimed by the South Armagh Action Force and later attributed to the IRA.

No one has ever been convicted of the murders.

The decision on how far the inquest can proceed will be taken on Thursday.

Related topics: