Belfast, Northern Ireland – A coroner has ruled that the 1976 shooting that resulted in the deaths of 10 Protestant workmen at Kingsmill in Co Armagh was an “overtly sectarian attack by the IRA.” This tragic event, known as the Kingsmill massacre, was claimed by a lesser-known paramilitary group called the South Armagh Republican Action Force, which was believed to be a front for the IRA during a supposed ceasefire period.
In a lengthy inquest, coroner Brian Sherrard heavily criticized the IRA for their lack of cooperation and engagement in the proceedings. He also dismissed rumors surrounding British Army Captain Robert Nairac’s involvement in the attack as “utter fantasy.” Additionally, the coroner highlighted a reluctance on the part of the Irish State to acknowledge the role of the border in the atrocity, noting that it was partially organized in the Republic of Ireland.
Following the conclusion of the inquest, the sole survivor of the massacre, Alan Black, and the relatives of one of the victims called for a public inquiry, expressing their dissatisfaction with the coronial proceedings and the lack of answers provided. The brutal attack took place on January 5, 1976, when a gang of men posing as British soldiers ambushed a minibus carrying the workmen back from a textiles factory, eventually leading to their deaths.
Although the IRA had denied responsibility for the Kingsmill murders, the coroner dismissed this as a “cynical lie.” Mr. Sherrard criticized the absence of any evidence or disclosure from those responsible for the attack, highlighting the lack of accountability from the perpetrators, their organization, or political representatives.
Despite persistent rumors linking Captain Nairac to the massacre, the coroner stated that he was entirely satisfied that the British Army officer had no involvement in the atrocity. The coroner also addressed errors and omissions in the police investigation following the shooting, attributing these shortcomings to the challenging security environment in south Armagh at that time.
Overall, the inquest revealed the IRA’s direct involvement in the Kingsmill massacre, dispelling any notions of a separate rogue group’s responsibility for the attack. The coroner emphasized the need for accountability and recognition of the horrific nature of the killings, urging for a clear acknowledgment from those responsible. Despite the passage of time and various challenges, the quest for justice and closure for the victims and their families remains ongoing.