The image Sinn Fein MP Barry McElduff tweeted at the weekend of a Kingsmill loaf on his head
SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that the victims and families of the Kingsmill massacre have suffered enough and Sinn Féin must gain a full explanation from Barry McElduff.
Mr Eastwood said: “The horror and hurt of the Kingsmill Massacre is etched across the memory of Northern Ireland. Seamus Heaney rightly described the Kingsmill massacre as ‘one of the most harrowing moments in the whole history of the harrowing of the heart in Northern Ireland’.
“In a dirty conflict, the sectarian murder carried out at Kingsmill was one of the dirtiest acts.
“The victims and families of that massacre have suffered enough. For years they have been denied justice, the very least they now deserve is to be shown sensitivity and dignity towards the memory of their loved ones.
“The truth is that there is very little way of confirming Barry McElduff’s intentions – some have believed his denials and many have not. However, there is one thing absolutely clear. If his intention was to mock these victims, then of course he should resign immediately.
“Whether intentional or not though, Mr McElduff must understand that he has caused immense hurt by re-opening the wounds for the families of the victims of the Kingsmill Massacre.
I”t is right that Mr McElduff has apologised, however it is clear that his apology will not fully heal the harm that his actions have caused.
“While I understand that Mr McElduff is to meet with the Sinn Fein leadership today, I believe this should have happened sooner.
“Sinn Féin have a responsibility to hold Mr McElduff to account for his actions.
“That means Michelle O’Neill must gain a full explanation from Mr McElduff and share that explanation with the victims and the public.
“Even if his explanation is to be believed, there remains the open question surrounding Mr McElduff’s social media profile.
“Running around shops at night with loaves of bread on top of your head are not the actions of a serious politician.
“Amongst the other very serious issues at the heart of this issue, the Sinn Féin leadership must also reflect on that.
“The events of the last number of days also raise a deeper issue.
“The provisional republican movement has never expressed full remorse for the specific murders it was involved in, including those at Kingsmill. That is a reality Sinn Féin has never faced up to.
“It is why their public pronouncements about reconciliation have always fallen short and have never gained trust amongst very decent people in the unionist community.
“After a week where the task of reconciliation has again been undermined, I would genuinely ask Sinn Féin to ease the hurt caused to these victims by finally apologising for the Kingsmill Massacre,” added the Foyle MLA.