Kingsmills inquest hears of intelligence on suspects

The inquest into the murders of 10 Protestant workmen has heard one of the suspects described as a "known killer" in intelligence received in the aftermath of the attack.

After being delayed due to new evidence, proceedings continued finally on Monday where the first person in almost a year took to the witness box.

Only known as 'J2', the serving police officer with years of experience in counter-terrorism, gave his evidence from behind a screen.

His speciality is analysing intelligence and he has been assisting the coroner with sensitive police material.

The material dates back decades to the early days of the investigation in the hunt for those who singled out 10 Protestant workmen for murder.

The Provisional IRA has always denied any involvement in the killings.

But the court was told intelligence received not long after, laid the blame at the door of that organisation, on a number of occasions.

And four suspects emerged. No names were mentioned, instead suspects were given numbers.

Two were from Co Armagh - one described as a hard-line republican, the other a well-known member of the IRA. The last, was wanted by the authorities in the Republic and was described as a known killer.

Also revealed in court were the details of a series of intelligence documents, showing over time, the list of suspects rising – to 13 at one stage.

Some of the information indicated the man in charge of the operation was a leader of the IRA in Dundalk.

No-one has ever been charged with the murders.

The police officer behind the screen stressed there is a big difference between intelligence and evidence.

Families and sole survivor Alan Black were in the Coroner’s Court listening carefully to every word. J2 will testify again on Tuesday.