COUNCILLORS UNITED IN CONDEMNATION
Councillors are united in their condemnation
By Noel McAdam
OMAGH District Council met today to collectively condemn the bomb outrage - and look to the future.
A special meeting also discussed a memorial service in the weeks ahead for the 28 victims of the atrocity.
Nationalist and unionists, including Sinn Fein and DUP members, united to voice their disgust over the town centre explosion.
The council, which has seven Sinn Fein members, three Ulster Unionists and three DUP, also debated how it can help the bereaved and injured, their families and the wider community devastated by the attack.
Sinn Fein member Patsy McMahon said: "There are people who think we are in some way connected to this and it is important that we are seen to totally oppose it."
Speaking before the meeting, he added: "That is not for political purposes. I have been a republican all my life and I am not apologising for that, but there is no way in which I would attempt to condone what happened.
"People are shattered and I will be condemning this, no ifs or buts whatsoever."
Ulster Unionist Allan Rainey said: "Who would ever have imagined anything like this? It is time now for people to throw their differences behind them. We have got to grow up and stand together.
"The Sinn Fein members I have met since this happened seem to be deeply concerned about this atrocity.
"The purpose of the meeting is so the council cap collectively condemn this outrage in our community and then go on to how we can pick up the threads and look to the future."
The meeting was expected to include Francie Mackey, a member of the 32 County Sovereignty organisation, and DUP member Oliver Gibson, whose niece was among those killed.
By Noel McAdam
OMAGH District Council met today to collectively condemn the bomb outrage - and look to the future.
A special meeting also discussed a memorial service in the weeks ahead for the 28 victims of the atrocity.
Nationalist and unionists, including Sinn Fein and DUP members, united to voice their disgust over the town centre explosion.
The council, which has seven Sinn Fein members, three Ulster Unionists and three DUP, also debated how it can help the bereaved and injured, their families and the wider community devastated by the attack.
Sinn Fein member Patsy McMahon said: "There are people who think we are in some way connected to this and it is important that we are seen to totally oppose it."
Speaking before the meeting, he added: "That is not for political purposes. I have been a republican all my life and I am not apologising for that, but there is no way in which I would attempt to condone what happened.
"People are shattered and I will be condemning this, no ifs or buts whatsoever."
Ulster Unionist Allan Rainey said: "Who would ever have imagined anything like this? It is time now for people to throw their differences behind them. We have got to grow up and stand together.
"The Sinn Fein members I have met since this happened seem to be deeply concerned about this atrocity.
"The purpose of the meeting is so the council cap collectively condemn this outrage in our community and then go on to how we can pick up the threads and look to the future."
The meeting was expected to include Francie Mackey, a member of the 32 County Sovereignty organisation, and DUP member Oliver Gibson, whose niece was among those killed.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0032
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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