Watchdog identifies failings by police in Kingsmill Massacre probe
Ten protestant men were shot dead outside the village of Kingsmill in Co Armagh in January 1976, when republican gunmen posing as British soldiers ordered them off a minibus on their way home from work.
The killers asked the occupants of the bus their religion before opening fire.
No-one has ever been convicted of the murders
The only catholic on board was ordered to run away before the sectarian shooting started.
Of the 11 protestants who remained on the roadside, one man, Alan Black, survived despite being shot 18 times.
No-one has ever been convicted of the murders.
Mr Black, now in his early 80s, attended the offices of Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland Marie Anderson in Belfast yesterday to receive her long-awaited report into one of the most notorious atrocities of the Troubles.
He was accompanied by relatives of John McConville, one of the 10 men who died.
Ms Anderson examined the original Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) investigation into the crime following complaints by bereaved relatives and Mr Black.
She concluded that their complaints were in large part 'legitimate and justified'. The ombudsman recognised the 'intense pressure and strain' facing RUC officers in 1976.
Notwithstanding that context, she identified a series of failings in the investigation, including a failure to arrest and interview suspects and a failure to exploit ballistic links with other attacks in which the same weapons were used.
She said there were also missed investigative opportunities and inadequacies in areas such as forensics, fingerprints and palm prints, and witness inquiries.
Ms Anderson added: 'By today's standards, the investigative resources available were wholly insufficient to deal with an inquiry the size of the Kingsmill investigation.
'The situation was exacerbated by a backdrop of multiple terrorist attacks in the south Armagh and south Down areas that stretched the already limited investigative resources available even further.
'The detective leading the investigation had a team of eight to assist him in investigating 10 murders and an attempted murder, which was supplemented for only a matter of weeks by two teams of about eight to 10 detectives from the RUC's regional crime squad. This was entirely inadequate.'
I've got nothing but respect for them
Mr Black said he felt 'vindicated' by the ombudsman's report.
'Back in the day, in the '70s, a policeman would put on his uniform in the morning not knowing if he's going to come home that night.
'So I've got nothing but respect for them,' Mr Black told reporters.
'But this investigation, it points to something like the Keystone Cops and that's all to do with the police handing their notes to their superiors, who hands them on, who hands them on, who then says 'No, we can't go down that road'.
"We feel totally vindicated in making the complaint and we feel backed up by the ombudsman this far.'
Mr Black said the 'death cries of his friends' remained his motivation in continuing to press for justice and truth.
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'I did everything to publicise my mum's disappearance' Kasia told The Sun last week, prior to the remains discovery: "When Mum went missing, I was 9 years old, I was a child. "It was only when I became an adult that I took up the search for Mum again. "I did everything to publicise my mother's disappearance; it took me a lot of time, but I hope I will find out the truth." She went on to say: "My family reported the case to the Polish police 15 years ago, but now we are finding out that the British police did not receive the report during those 15 years, and they have only just started an investigation. "The Polish police only checked prisons and hospitals and didn't find anything significant, and after a few years, the disappearance case went to the archive." She continued: "I started looking for her on my own as soon as I became an adult. "I started publicising my mother's disappearance in Poland, in the media and on YouTube. I did everything I could, and Polish charities helped me with this. "I started making posters about my mother's disappearance. I wrote to the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in London, and they wrote back that they would check the prisons in England and Wales, but I did not receive any information on whether this was actually checked." The 25-year-old had hoped her mum had simply decided to start a new life, and she would suddenly appear with a new identity. However, those hopes were quashed when murder arrests were made, with Kasia admitting: "I'm very upset by the news I've received, and I'm so sorry that I received this message and not another one. "I've been looking for her for 15 years, and I hope I finally find out the truth." Izabela's last movements 2009 Izabela moves to the UK from Poland 2010 The factory worker is living in Princes Street, Normanton August 28, 2010 She contacts her family for the last time before she vanishes May 2025 Derbyshire Police launch a fresh appeal for information and launch a murder investigation May 28 Two women, aged 39 and 43, as well as a 41-year-old man, are arrested and released on bail June 2 Human remains are found in a garden of a house on the street where Izabela lived June 3 A 39-year-old woman, who was previously arrested on suspicion of murder, is rearrested June 6 Anna Podedworna, 39, has now been charged with murder, preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice Two other women aged 39 and 43, and two men aged 41 and 48, were arrested on suspicion of murder and all remain on police bail pending further inquiries Detective Inspector Kane Martin, who is leading the investigation, said after the body was found: 'Izabela's family are at the forefront of our minds following this discovery and, whilst formal identification has not yet taken place, it is our belief that these remains do belong to Izabela." Mr Martin went on to say: 'We have spoken with Izabela's family in Poland, and they are aware. Our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. 'Identification of the remains is likely to be a lengthy process, but we will issue updates when we are able. 'I know that reports of these findings will send shockwaves through the local community, and I understand the concern of residents. 'Officers will remain in Princes Street in the coming days, and anyone with concerns is encouraged to speak with them." DI Martin explained that a "dedicated team of detectives" would continue their investigation to "piece together information" about the days leading up to Izabela's death. Izabela worked at the former Cranberry Foods chicken and turkey factory in Scropton, around 10 miles west of Derby. Crimestoppers is offering up to £20,000 for exclusive information relating to the investigation that leads to a conviction, with the reward valid for three months until August 27. Anyone with information can contact the charity via its website, or by calling 0800 555 111. Do you know more? Email 9 Cops began searching Princes Street in Derby after making three arrests Credit: Google 9 Kasia took up the search for her mum Credit: Kasia Zabłocka
