Kingsmill, located in Co Armagh, witnessed a tragic event in 1976 when 10 Protestant workmen were brutally gunned down in what has now been ruled as an “overtly sectarian attack by the IRA”. The massacre at Kingsmill, claimed by a lesser-known paramilitary group called the South Armagh Republican Action Force, was a significant incident during the Troubles. Despite the IRA supposedly being on ceasefire at the time, they were believed to be behind the atrocity.
Coroner Brian Sherrard delivered scathing remarks towards the IRA and its political representatives for failing to engage with the inquest proceedings. The lengthy inquest also debunked rumors of British Army Captain Robert Nairac’s involvement in the Kingsmill massacre, labeling them as “utter fantasy”. The coroner also highlighted a reluctance on the part of the Irish State to acknowledge the role of the border in the Kingsmill tragedy, asserting that the attack was partially organized in the Republic of Ireland.
Following the conclusion of the inquest, the sole survivor of the shooting, Alan Black, along with relatives of the victims, called for a public inquiry into the attack, expressing disappointment in the coronial proceedings. The 10 workmen were gruesomely murdered during an ambush on their minibus by a group posing as British soldiers. The victims were asked their religion, and after the only Catholic on board was ordered to run away, the remaining men were lined up and shot.
Despite being shot multiple times, Alan Black survived the massacre. No one has been held accountable for the Kingsmill murders to this day. The victims’ families voiced their frustration with the failure to name two deceased suspects linked to the massacre in the coroner’s findings. They emphasized the need for a public inquiry to uncover the truth behind the tragic event.
Coroner Sherrard emphasized the absence of any evidence from those responsible for the attack during the inquest, calling it a “glaring omission”. He criticized the lack of accountability and transparency from the perpetrators or their representatives, highlighting the silence in providing answers. The extensive ballistics evidence showcased the link between the weapons used at Kingsmill and other IRA attacks, solidifying the IRA’s involvement in the massacre.
The retaliatory nature of the Kingsmill shootings, supposedly in response to attacks on Catholic families, was acknowledged by Mr. Sherrard. However, he clarified that the planning for the Kingsmill incident began long before the other attacks. The suspicions surrounding Captain Nairac’s role were dismissed by the coroner, who was certain of the officer’s lack of involvement in the atrocity. Additionally, Mr. Sherrard debunked claims of protecting IRA informants by not pursuing the Kingsmill perpetrators, calling it baseless conspiracy theorizing.
While acknowledging errors in the police investigation post the shooting, Mr. Sherrard urged against shifting blame away from those responsible for the brutal murders. He highlighted the challenges faced by law enforcement in the turbulent security environment of south Armagh in 1976. Despite acknowledging that the likely suspects were known to the security forces at the time, Mr. Sherrard emphasized the need for concrete evidence to hold them accountable for their actions.