Taoiseach Enda Kenny personally phoned Alan Black, the sole survivor of the Kingsmills Massacre, to offer personal assurances that legal obstacles delaying an inquest will be dealt with.
Mr Kenny made the call at the request of Newry and Armagh Ulster Unionist Danny Kennedy, after a meeting on Friday.
Mr Kennedy welcomed assurances received that the legal obstacles delaying the release of files held in the Republic, to the Coroner investigating the Kingsmills Massacre, will be dealt with as a matter of urgency.
Mr Kennedy, who represents Newry & Armagh and who has worked closely with the Kingsmills relatives, said: “The Kingsmills Massacre in 1976 was one of the most horrific atrocities even by the shocking standards of the Troubles. The IRA carried out a brutal sectarian massacre of 10 Protestant workmen, and almost 40 years on, their families have yet to see any justice.
“I met in Dublin with Enda Kenny and I took the opportunity to raise with him the latest delay in the inquest, which the Northern Ireland Coroner has attributed to difficulties in accessing the files held in the Republic, which the Taoiseach previously promised would be made available.
“The Taoiseach assured me that the legal obstacles are being dealt with as a matter of extreme urgency and that he expects them to be cleared within days.
“At my request he rang Alan Black, the sole survivor or the atrocity, and gave him the necessary assurances that these matters would be resolved within a matter of days.
“I welcome this progress and will continue to work with the Kingsmills families to ensure their cases are not forgotten and so that we can obtain the maximum justice.”
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