‘Repulsive’ Kingsmill graffiti condemned
ALLIANCE has hit out at those behind sectarian graffiti in Omagh mocking the Kingsmill massacre.
It was daubed on a wall on Great Northern Road and references the atrocity in which 10 Protestant workmen were killed in south Armagh in 1976.
West Tyrone Alliance representative Stephen Donnelly said anyone with information should come forward immediately.
“This graffiti is utterly disgusting, especially given how the anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre and victims’ issues more widely have recently been under
the spotlight. The memories of the victims deserve more than to be mocked in this manner,” he said.
“Part of it is also designed to intimidate a particular section of our community. That must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
“Omagh is a welcoming place and those behind this graffiti speak for no one.
“I would appeal to anyone with information on this repulsive incident to contact police immediately.”
Republican mockery of the Kingsmill massacre has been in the media spotlight.
Earlier this month Sinn Fein’s Barry McElduff quit as West Tyrone MP 10 days after tweeting a video posing with a Kingsmill loaf on his head on the 42nd anniversary of the massacre.
The IRA shot the workmen in a sectarian atrocity for which no one has ever been brought to justice.
Only one victim — Alan Black — survived, despite having been hit with 18 bullets.
Mr McElduff, who denied meaning to cause any offence, resigned in the wake of a powerful interview Mr Black gave to RTE in which he accused the republican MP of celebrating the deaths.
Mr McElduff’s tweet was retweeted by former Sinn Fein Finance Minister Mairtin O Muilleoir.
An online petition urging the South Belfast MLA to resign has now reached almost 4,000 signatories.