The decision by the ICRIR to investigate the Kingsmill massacre forty-nine years ago is described by human rights body, Ulster Human Rights Watch (UHRW), as ‘real progress and a significant advance for relatives.
Ten Protestant workmen were murdered by the Provisional IRA near Whitecross in County Armagh. The Independent Commission for Reconciliation and Information Recovery formally accepted the request by two families of the men to investigate the sectarian killings.
The families, who were represented and supported by Ulster Human Rights Watch, want the ICRIR to name the deceased suspected terrorists involved in the attack – something the Kingsmill Inquest Coroner refused to do.
They have submitted fifty-seven questions, including one which asks why so many Public Interest Immunity Certificates were used in the Inquest.
Of major concern to the families are the actions of the Gardaí following dissatisfaction with the Irish ‘closed court’ response to questions tabled by the families during the Inquest.
Colin Worton is the brother of Kenneth who was one of the ten men murdered.
Mr Worton said: “We have an opportunity here to get answers to events that surrounded the massacre. Forty-nine years on from these brutal slayings, we have been given some hope by this decision by the ICRIR to launch an investigation.
“Families can only expect limited closure but naming those who gunned down our relatives would be a positive step.”
UHRW Advocacy Worker, Jonathan Larner, said: “The Irish Government has been dragging its heels on Kingsmill as with all cross-border cases. Families want to see Dublin become fully engaged with the ICRIR and agree to open their files. The role of the Gardaí deserves close scrutiny if we are to get to the truth and if suspicions of collusion are to be addressed.”
“This decision by the ICRIR is real progress and a significant advance for relatives.
“Kingsmill families have waited long enough for answers which merely served to retraumatise them and cause pain and anguish. They hope to learn why, for example, Public Interest Immunity Certificates were issued and what they were attempting to conceal.
“Also concerning are the reasons for the Irish ‘closed court’. Why and what purpose did that serve? We’re trying to shine a light into a dark corner and the hope has to be that the ICRIR unearths information that gives the families some closure and peace.”
“UHRW calls on the Republic of Ireland Government to effectively commit itself to co-operating fully and unreservedly with the ICRIR providing unfettered access to the information it holds in relation to this barbaric atrocity”.