Ms Bunting said,
“Alan Black, and the relatives who have pursued the truth, have had to overcome many obstacles to eventually see the publication of this Police Ombudsman report. As Alan has said, it has taken a significant, detrimental, personal toll on him. The Ombudsman’s Office and those who, for more than a decade, dithered and delayed along the pathway to truth in this investigation have a lot to answer for.
The failures in the original investigation into Kingsmill are deeply regrettable but indefensible. Clearly people who were identified as having information or suspected of involvement should have been brought in for questioning. We support the call by the Chief Constable and Alan Black for greater transparency from the intelligence services in relation to Kingmill. Those murdered in this blatantly sectarian attack, along with Alan who only survived by God’s grace, deserved a full and proper investigation. They were denied this, and the perpetrators allowed to evade the justice they deserved to face for their heinous crimes.”
Newry and Armagh DUP MLA William Irwin added:
“Whilst today the focus is on the police investigation, we must always remember that the sectarian masked men who stopped a minibus carrying 12 Protestant workers near the village of Kingsmill, were armed with PIRA weapons and operated in South Armagh as cover for the PIRA.
Ultimately, this is a substantial report, and we will take time to study its full findings and continue to stand alongside Alan and the families and assist them in any way as they determine any next steps.”