Danny Kennedy MLA, the Ulster Unionist Assembly member for Newry and Armagh, attended two services of remembrance at Kingsmills, south Armagh, to mark the anniversary of murders in the area.
A short service was held at the new roadside memorial marking the site of the Kingsmills Massacre, 38 years to the date of the atrocity in which 10 Protestant workmen were murdered on their way home from work at a nearby Glenanne factory.
The service was conducted by Pastor Barrie Halliday and was addressed by Mr Kennedy and attended by representatives of the families of the entirely innocent victims.
Addressing those present, Mr Kennedy recalled his personal memories of the atrocity, and said:“It is imperative that the campaign to obtain maximum justice for the families be continued. I pledge myself to that cause.
“I am encouraged that a new, younger generation is prepared to continue to fight for justice and not allow the dreadful events of January 1976 to be airbrushed out of history or forgotten by the wider community.”
Following the service, a short act of remembrance was held at the nearby Kingsmills Presbyterian Church to unveil a wall plaque to Corporal Clifford Lundy, UDR, who was murdered close to that spot on 2nd January 1980.
The plaque was unveiled by Mr Lundy’s daughter, Jennifer, and dedicated by Rev Frank Gibson, Minister of Kingsmills Presbyterian Church.
Pastor Barrie Halliday also participated.Mr Kennedy also attended this event, and said: “It is important to remember the service and sacrifice of people such as Clifford Lundy who were attempting to serve the entire local community through the Security Forces, but were cruelly murdered by Republicans.
