Responding to comments by the Garda in today’s News Letter in which they claimed they “continue to engage with the Coroner’s Service for Northern Ireland … with a view to cooperating with their requests as far as is possible” TUV leader Jim Allister said:
“Following comments by Northern Ireland’s senior coroner, John Leckey, in October about the lack of a substantive response from the Garda to his requests since April to see their investigation files into the Kingsmills massacre I wrote to the Republic’s Justice Minister. I asked her to provide me with an explanation for the delay and requested that she ensure the documentation was furnished forthwith.
“Two months later all I have received are acknowledgement letters.
“The delay in releasing the files is totally unacceptable and is causing needless grief to families which have waited decades to reach this stage.
“The murder of ten innocent workmen at Kingsmill in 1976 – purely because they professed the Protestant religion – is one of the blackest incidents in the annals of terrorism in Northern Ireland.
“How can the Republic claim any right to take the United Kingdom to the European Court over the hooded men case while continuing to sit on potentially vital information on these brutal sectarian murders?”
Note to editors
Mr Allister’s letter reads as follows:
16th October 2014
Dear Minister,
Re Kingsmill Massacre Inquest
As you are doubtless aware there is currently an inquest into the murder of ten innocent workmen at Kingsmill in 1976. These men were murdered purely because they professed the Protestant religion.
I am disturbed that the Garda is clearly dragging its heels in relation to documentation which it has been asked to provide to the inquest.
Earlier this month Northern Ireland’s senior coroner, John Leckey, told the court that Irish police had provided no substantive response to his requests since April to see their investigation files.
This is a totally unacceptable delay which is causing needless grief to families which have waited decades to reach this stage.
I write to inquire as to the reason for this delay and to request that you ensure that the documentation is furnished forthwith.
I look forward to a substantive and speedy reply so that I can return to the relatives of those murdered on this matter.
Yours sincerely,
J H Allister QC MLA