The East Belfast MLA said,
“The responsibility for the murder of 12 innocent people in the La Mon Hotel and the injuries sustained by many more, lies squarely with the Provisional IRA. This was one of the most horrific atrocities of the troubles, with those who survived the attack left with life-changing injuries and indescribable physical pain. That was a direct result of this pre-planned attack and of the inadequate warning given.
When we consider the horrors of La Mon, it begs a serious question of anyone who says “there was no alternative”. There was always an alternative to this evil act of barbarity.
It is clear there were failures in the investigation, but there were real efforts by police at the time to bring those responsible for justice. Everyone accepts that the passage of time since such events mean that prospects for justice may be limited. However, it is notable that the Ombudsman concluded that re-examination of an item of evidence may provide further DNA opportunities. That is why opportunities for justice must never be closed down.
Whilst the Ombudsman’s office should not be the vehicle for legacy investigations, families should not have had to battle so hard for action whilst the office was involved in this process. We are still seeing this borne out regarding the Kingsmills report. Those families are still having to fight to get their report many months after the coroner's verdict and after repeated requests for its publication. The Ombudsman’s office has proven itself to be obstructive and ambiguous towards people who should not have to campaign for the truth about what happened to their loved ones. They have been through enough already without having to fight an Office which is supposed to assist them. This is an office in significant turmoil and that should not be inflicted upon the families of La Mon, Kingsmills or any other case. It is an indictment that with a number of these historic cases in which the Office of the Police Ombudsman has been involved, families express their dissatisfaction in the process, the findings and their treatment at the hands of those charged to help.
Once again today’s proceedings have not secured the truth, but I pay tribute to the families for their dignity and courage throughout what has been an incredibly long and difficult process. They still deserve both truth and justice.”