The Kingsmill Massacre bore more of the features of a loyalist attack than a typical IRA one. Loyalists like Johnny Adair and the Shankill Butchers typically set out to kill Catholics – any Catholics. Their motivation was no doubt in part sectarian but it was based on a belief that if enough Catholics were killed, this would check or even bring to an end IRA killings. They were often supported in their work by members of the RUC, the UDR or British Intelligence. The killing of five innocent Catholics twenty-four hours before the Kingsmill Massacre was typical of such attacks. Two members of the Reavy family were shot dead in their home in Whitecross and three members of the O’Dowd family were killed in their home in Ballydougan. Another two were wounded, one of them dying a month later. The Reavy/O’Dowd killings were linked to the Glenanne gang, which was an amalgam of loyalist militants, British soldiers and RUC officers.
The Kingsmill Massacre worked on a similar philosophy: if enough Protestants were killed, attacks on Catholics would be checked or ended. And doubtless there was an element of sectarianism in the mix as well. Yesterday Alan Black, the sole Protestant survivor of the massacre, declared his belief that members of the security forces were involved in the attack that killed ten of his work-mates.
All of these killings are almost too horrible to think about, but they do bring home one important point: British security forces were active combatants in the Troubles. This rather puts a hole in David Cameron and other British politicians’ sanctimonious claims to be referees struggling to keep the piece between two warring Irish tribes. It also gives the lie to the notion that the IRA were the sole source of slaughter. Kingsmill was a ghastly, sectarian attack, as were the kilings of the Reavy and O’Dowd families twenty-four hours earlier. But if Alan Black’s claim is true, British agents must bear some responsibility for the deaths of both Catholics and Protestants. No discrimination there.
Jude: This latest, brand new twist will give us all more food for thought. “Curious and curiouser”, as Lewis Carroll might say. I’m intrigued , not least because the ” details” or possibly “rumour” [who knows ?] have not been teased out in the media.
In Ireland these bombshells are simply lobbed into the toxic mix and left to fester. I caught it briefly on a blurry weekend news scrap . Today it is all but forgotten without mention.
That seems so typical of our media somehow. They never ask the hard questions.
I immediately asked myself all the usual questions:. Who came up with this new titbit? Why is no-one talking about it on local radio? What will happen to the whole nutty edifice that is Willie Frazer’s belief system.? Is n’ t he campaigning for the “whole truth” , whatever he believes that to be? He seems to know it is the IRA alone, but now it appears to be someone who was supposedly batting on his team?
it seems to bear all the hallmarks of scenes of equal horror such as the Miami Showband killings. Both sides had their fair share of psychopaths so it’s hard to tease out the truth, but if there are security forces at work here to discredit the republican element, there’s an even murkier story to be told and it’s way out of Our Wullie’s remit.
Sorry to correct you, Jude, but the five catholics were killed just 24 hours before Kingsmills, [which I recall from the time ,as retaliation for the McAreaveys] not five days.
Thanks Daniel. I shall check and if you’re right, humbly bow my head in apology; if you’re wrong, deliver the mother and father of all tongue-lashings to you….
Grrrr. You’re completely right, Daniel. Mea culpa agus go raibh maith agat (polylingual mix). I mixed the date of the Reavy/O’Dowd killings with those of three Protestants in a bar in Gilford on December 31…
Keep the ‘piece’???
No worries, Jude. I remember 1976 like it was yesterday. alas.
Jude :Never fear Jude .That’s how much of history comes down to us . The odd mistake or errant date here and there.. the odd bit of hearsay mixed with the occasional chinese whisper …and Bob’s your uncle…….what the heck, we’re only human after all!!1
I had not heard that theory but nothing surprises me about this place. Britain has had bloody fingers for centuries, I don`t think anyone ever bought that whole referee in the middle tripe. Britain gave itself that title, But then they are always claiming to be the `home of democracy`, a `secular country` (yeah, try telling THAT to HM Queen or the Bishops who sit in the House of Lords) all the way to them hosting the `World`s greatest tennis tournament.` Please. Fact is, self praise is no praise. Killing civilians from the other side was a big part of Britain`s World War II tactics, thousands were incinerated in Germany and Japan. As for Willie Frazer, he lost whatever scintilla of credibility he had a very long time ago. He is a rabble rouser and a bigot. A Loyalist Batman to Jamie`s Robin. Beyond parody. The true story of Kingsmill and other incidents will NEVER come to light.
Nairac was mentioned in relation to Kingsmills Could Alan Black be referring to him?
Jude
I have no trouble believing that security forces were involved in this or other incidents.
What is interesting is the contrast in your reaction to this story and the one about the Nazareth nuns. Then you were at pains to point out that “just because someone says something happened in the past that doesn’t mean it did happen”. I think those were your words.
Could it be you would like to believe in one claim but not the other?
Yes, you’re quite right, Gio – I do find it easier to believe one claim and not the other. Not for a moment am I saying that the Nazareth nuns didn’t abuse people. But in their case, the evidence comes from those who say they were victims. In the case of the ‘security’ forces, evidence comes from dead bodies.
Jude
The evidence in the Nazareth case comes from over 400 witness statements claiming abuse. The evidence in the Kingsmill case comes from one man who was also a victim. As far as I know he has not yet related any information about the events to explain his belief.
Evidence is always useful.
In the end there could very well have been informers in the IRA gang.
If it turns out that Raymond McCreesh was one of them perhaps it will lead to a change in name of that play park in Newry, eh?
Did nobody mention KINGCORA??? where young boys were sexualy abused by members of the orange order and what about mactauige murdered by loyalist gunmen for the same offence,members of mi6 and special branch were also involved.ie they blackmailed the orange order and loyalist policitans????Who will open that can of worms????
With regards to the play park, better an IRA informer than a British pirate or buccaneer, they seem to have more than enough public places named in their honour. I wouldn`t hold my breath, chris Flynn, waiting for Kincora to be investigated. That would be a factory of worms not just a can. Check out Knox Cunningham for starters.
chris flynn and Another Jude
Who will investigate the Kincora home?
The HIA enquiry will after they have done with the Nazareth homes..
I only brought up the Nazareth story to illustrate Jude’s selective approach to evidence. He advises caution in the case of the 400+ witnesses from the Nazareth homes, but accepts Alan Black’s claim at face value.
But that’s how we roll here in the occupied six. We believe what we want to believe and dismiss what we don’t.