It's time Sinn Fein stopped glorifying terrorism, says victim's brother

The brother of one of the men killed in the Kingsmill massacre has said Sinn Fein should now end its glorification of terrorism.

Colin Worton's brother Kenneth (24) was one of the 10 Protestants gunned down in cold blood after their work minibus was ambushed by the IRA.

He told the Belfast Telegraph that he would like to see more sincerity from Sinn Fein in the wake of Barry McElduff's resignation as MP.

"In the first instance, the resignation is to be welcomed, but not to be gloated over because we are just glad that he went," he said.

"It should have been earlier rather than later, but I still don't believe in his apology and still believe what Barry McElduff said is only the tip of the iceberg.

"I still believe a lot of people within Sinn Fein and their supporters hang on to these thoughts and images."

Mr Worton also revealed that he had not known that his elderly mother had been on the receiving end of prank phone calls about Kingsmill bread.

"The FAIR (Families Acting for Innocent Relatives) office got a few, and my mother only told us a few days ago that she was getting them," he said.

"We have to move on, there should be no place in society for any glorification of terrorism.

"Sinn Fein and paramilitaries on the unionist side have a right to remember their dead, as they call it.

"But it should be in a closed room with no media. They shouldn't be parading up and down streets remembering people that have carried out murder and terrorist offences."

Mr Worton said if Sinn Fein really wanted to make amends to victims "what they could start doing is to get away from glorifying terrorism".

"Until we start seeing that then, me personally, I don't believe them," he said.

"I believe Barry McElduff is only one of many of the same mindset. Until all that changes, I don't see any point in meeting them.

"I want to see actions - actions speak louder than words."

Mr Worton also called for those responsible for Kingsmill to come forward and do their time.

"If they were man enough to do the crime, then they should be man enough to do whatever time is handed down to them," he said.

"I have to appreciate that it is only going to be two years. I don't agree with it, but that is all that is going to happen to them.

"But at least it would be something. And any apology would have to be heartfelt. I haven't really seen it to date."

May Quinn, whose brother Bobby Walker (46) was among those killed, echoed Mr Worton's view that Mr McElduff should have stepped down sooner.

"I think resigning was the only thing he could do," she said.

"There is nothing he could do to right a hurt like that, it was too vicious.

"He should never have done it - to mock the dead just beggars belief."

Meanwhile, victims campaigner William Frazer, who has worked with the Kingsmill families over many years, said he welcomed Mr McElduff's resignation "as a recognition of his guilt".

"I am however disappointed that he didn't take the opportunity to do so sooner, he could have saved the families a week of great hurt and unnecessary media attention," he said.

"Undoubtedly the mask slipped, Barry McElduff was exposed, and as was the level of public outrage he was left with no option. The public wanted him to resign. I am glad he has now done so.

"I wish to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the families, their strength, dignity and determination in stark contrast to many of the vile Twitter trolls and so-called prank callers.

"Let this be a lesson, there is no hiding place for sectarianism or glorification of terrorist atrocities.

"Sinn Fein must now take this opportunity to apologise on behalf of the republican movement, recognising the pain and suffering caused throughout Northern Ireland by the actions of the IRA.

"Things were moving in the right direction with John O'Dowd's comments on BBC's The View. It now seems SF are willing to sacrifice one MP rather than apologise for the actions of the IRA."

Belfast Telegraph