Statement by TUV vice chairman and Causeway councillor Allister Kyle:
“The attendance of Michelle O’Neill at an event to commemorate three would be IRA killers who thankfully blew themselves up rather than taking innocent lives is yet another reminder of just how unfit she is to hold the office of First Minister.
“The three terrorists killed in Magherafelt were, in the words of the coroner at the time, engaged upon “a murderous venture”. The only heroic action on the 18th December 1971 in the town were those of the RUC sergeant who showed a compassion for one of the terrorists which the IRA never showed for their victims and helped take him to Mid Ulster Hospital only to discover that he was dead on arrival.
“Councillor Bateson – a former mayor for Causeway Coast and Glens – would do well to educate himself about the heroism and compassion of the Royal Ulster Constabulary rather than glorifying the men of blood who went out with murder in their hearts half a century ago”.