The police ombudsman has concluded that an investigation into the murder of 10 men in County Armagh failed to arrest and interview 11 men identified by intelligence. Last year, an inquest determined that the attack in Kingsmills was an overtly sectarian attack carried out by the IRA. Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson highlighted the inadequacy of resources during the investigation of the textile factory workers shot dead in 1976 when a gang ambushed their minibus near Kingsmills.
The families of the victims at Kingsmills have raised concerns about the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) investigation in 1976, with several complaints being upheld by the police ombudsman. Key witness statements were never taken, and certain crucial investigations were not carried out properly, such as the connection of weapons used to other incidents. Moreover, missed investigative opportunities in areas like forensics, fingerprints, and witness inquiries were identified by the ombudsman.
Survivor Alan Black described the attack as “evil” and emphasized the need for the truth to be revealed. The families and their representatives are considering legal action in light of the recent findings. Calls for a public inquiry have been made by the families and some unionist politicians, highlighting the importance of accountability and closure for the devastating attack, which has left deep scars on the community.
Karen Armstrong, whose brother was a victim at Kingsmills, expressed the families’ desire for the truth to come to light, rejecting the notion that resource constraints were responsible for investigative failures. Legal representatives of the families plan to focus on the stalled High Court civil action following the release of the ombudsman’s findings, aiming to bring justice and understanding to those affected by the tragic events at Kingsmills
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