Armagh Troubles Memorial Vandalised

A memorial to victims of an IRA attack has been vandalised in South Armagh.

The memorial, which is currently undergoing construction work, commemorates the Kingsmills Massacre in which 10 Protestant workmen were shot dead in1976.

Sectarian graffiti was scratched into the plaster.

Danny Kennedy, MLA for Newry and Armagh, said he was appalled.

"The republican cowards responsible for this desecration have once again shown the sectarianism that still spews from some sections of the community,” he said.

"Not content with the Provisional IRA having robbed the Kingsmills families of their loved ones in an act of sectarian savagery, Irish republicans have attempted to heap further pain on them by attempting to intimidate the workers erecting the memorial and then returning later to deface it."

The massacre occurred on January 5 1976 and is considered one of the worst atrocities of the Troubles.

The workers, from a textile factory, had been travelling home in a minibus along the Whitecross to Bessbrook Road in rural south Armagh when their vehicle was ambushed.

Up to a dozen gunmen were involved in the attack. The only Catholic in the minibus was ordered to leave the area. His 11 Protestant work colleagues were gunned down.

One man survived despite being shot 18 times.

Last year, an Historical Enquiries Team (HET) investigation found the IRA was responsible and that the victims were targeted because of their religion.

Police are appealing for information following the vandalism attack, which took place at the memorial in the Kingsmill Road area of Bessbrook on Friday 30 November.

(IT)