Sinn Fein MP Barry McElduff causes widespread outrage with a video he posted on the 42nd anniversary of the Kingsmill massacre
The video was posted on his social media page, minutes into the 5th of January, just minutes into the forty-second anniversary of the slaughter of ten protestant workmen.
Sinn Fein MP for West Tyrone Barry McElduff spoke in a social media post that caused outrage over the weekend. In that post - McElduff has a Kingsmill loaf on his head. The video was posted on his social media page, minutes into the 5th of January, just minutes into the forty-second anniversary of the slaughter of ten protestant workmen, murders police say were carried out by members of the provisional IRA.
The video remained online for 35 hours before the Sinn Fein MP removed it and tweeted an apology. His party colleague, M谩irt铆n 脫 Muilleoir has also apologised for re-tweeting the original video.
Barry McElduff is due to meet the party leadership later today. In his apology he said that he "Had not realised or imagined for a second any possible link between product brand name and Kingsmills anniversary. "Further, I apologise for any hurt or offence caused. Never my intention to offend anyone who has suffered grievously." In a later statement, he added: "I apologise unreservedly for the hurt and pain this post has caused."
There has been political condemnation across the board - and complaints about the post are now being investigated by the PSNI. Ulster Unionist Omagh Councillor Chris Smyth said he had reported the MP to the Commons Standards Committee as well as reporting him to the PSNI.
It's not the first time that Barry McElduff has provoked outrage amongst the victims of the Kingsmills massacre. In 2015 he wrote a blog describing IRA man Raymond McCreesh as "a hero and a martyr" - saying he was more deserving of a nobel peace prize than many of the past recipients. Raymond McCreesh was arrested carrying a weapon used in the Kingsmills massacre. Kingsmills bread has been used in the past as an online taunt towards victims of the attack
Last on
More episodes
"He would not still be an elected representative for Alliance" - Naomi Long on whether MP Barry McElduff should resign
SDLP鈥檚 Daniel McCrossan and former UUP MLA Danny Kennedy react
Sinn Fein MP causes outrage with Kingsmill Anniversary social media post #成人快手Nolan callers react to Vinny Hurrell
Broadcast
- Mon 8 Jan 2018 09:03成人快手 Radio Ulster & 成人快手 Radio Foyle
Abuse investigation - support services
Support for people affected by issues covered in our recent programmes.
Nolan True Crime: The Murder Of Marian Beattie. A podcast series from the Nolan Show
Best of Nolan - OUR DAILY PODCAST
Download the podcast and get each day's show condensed for your convenience