Ulster Unionist MLA Danny Kennedy has confirmed that a meeting has taken place between the families of the victims of the Kingsmills Massacre and the Shadow Secretary of State, Vernon Coaker MP.
Following the meeting, Newry & Armagh representative Mr Kennedy said:
“I can confirm that a very useful meeting took place this morning in Bessbrook attended by the Shadow Secretary of State, the families of the victims, the sole survivor Mr Alan Black, representatives of the victims group FAIR, myself and my Party colleagues Councillors Andy Moffett and David Taylor.
At the meeting Vernon Coaker was able to hear the graphic story of the Kingsmills massacre.
The families are seeking to enlist the support of Mr Coaker and the Labour Party in their bid to obtain an acknowledgement from the Government of the Republic of Ireland and to achieve maximum justice.
I remain determined to keep the issue of the innocent victims of Kingsmills and South Armagh to the forefront. They must not and will not be allowed to be airbrushed out of history.”
Following the meeting with the Kingsmills families, Mr Kennedy brought Mr Coaker on a walk about in Bessbrook to show him his home village and they met and spoke with local business people and residents.”