UUP accuse Sinn Féin of disregarding courts over Kingsmills Inquest

The textile workers were travelling home from work when their minibus was ambushed in 1976

Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) leader Doug Beattie has raised concerns over Sinn Féin's failure to give evidence to the inquest into the Kingsmills massacre.

Last week an inquest found the killing of 10 men in 1976 was an overtly sectarian attack mounted by the IRA.

Ten Protestant workmen were shot dead when a gang ambushed their minibus in County Armagh on 5 January 1976.

Mr Beattie wrote to the justice minister to ask about her concerns over Sinn Féin's "disregard" for the courts.

He also asked Naomi Long what action is available to her to deal with this issue.

"No political party or politician should be allowed to show the courts such a flagrant disregard," he said.

Doug Beattie raised his concerns with Stormont's Justice Minister Naomi Long

"Sinn Féin had a duty to engage positively with this court process and the Irish government must be more transparent when dealing with issues surrounding our troubled past," he added.

During a debate on the inquest findings in the Northern Ireland Assembly, Sinn Féin's Linda Dillon apologised for the "lives lost at Kingsmills", and added that the families are entitled to truth and justice.

• What happened in the Kingsmills massacre?

• Who were the Kingsmills massacre victims?

• Kingsmills massacre a planned IRA attack - inquest

Ms Dillon said the British government should repeal it's "shameful" legacy act and implement the Stormont House agreement.

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly described the attack as "a war crime", adding that "terrorism was always wrong and there was always an alternative".

DUP MLA Ms Little-Pengelly urged all members of the NI Executive to condemn acts of terrorism.

Calls for public inquiry

The families of those killed and injured at Kingsmills have called for an public inquiry.

In response, a government spokesperson said the families had its "deepest sympathies" and said it hoped the findings gave them "some comfort".

No-one has ever been held to account for the murders.

Ten workmen, aged from 19 to 58, were murdered by the IRA at Kingsmills in 1976

However, speaking in the Northern Ireland Assembly on Monday, Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister named two of the perpetrators as Colm Murphy and Patrick O'Kane.

Both men have since died.

Separately, multiple sources confirmed to BBC's Spotlight in 2020 that Patrick (Paddy) O'Kane was a lead suspect in the Kingsmills massacre.

O'Kane was listed as wanted for questioning about the killings for many years afterwards.