HEARTBREAK JOURNEY HOME
Heartbreak journey home
By William Allen
BUNCRANA came to a standstill just after midnight as three of its young sons came home in coffins.
Many of the town's 4,000-strong population watched and wept as the hearses carrying James Barker (12) Sean McLaughlin (12) and Oran Doherty (8) arrived from Omagh's temporary mortuary in Lisanally Army Barracks.
They had been there since Saturday when a day trip to the Ulster American Folk Park turned to horror when a decision was taken to go shopping in Omagh.
The three local boys died alongside two of their Spanish friends, Rocio Abad Ramos and Fernando Blasco.
The cortege was escorted along part of its 50-mile journey by members of the RUC.
The three hearses were met at Bridgend by a garda escort.
Both sets of police officers saluted as the bodies crossed the border on their final journey home.
Hundreds or people, who had waited for hours to pay their respects, stood with their heads bowed.
Garda superintendent Tom Long said it was one of the most difficult duties he ever had to supervise.
At Buncrana, the hearses went their separate ways to the respective family homes.
There were heartbreaking scenes outside each of the boys' homes as relatives were comforted by neighbours.
A special Mass was held in the town yesterday for the Spanish students, during which a Catholic priest publicly apologised for the
horrors inflicted on them.
Father Shane Bradley, who comes from Omagh, told them: "I hope you can forgive us, remembering the real Ireland instead of the 'Real' IRA.
"The one of the thousand welcomes rather than the one of the thousand bombs.
"What an evil sacrilege in my home town. I can say nothing else to you, only 'sorry."
He also challenged the bombers to meet the people they had maimed and the families of loved ones they had murdered.
The funerals of the three boys will take place tomorrow after a joint Requiem Mass which President Mary McAleese was expected to attend.
A Book of Condolences was opened in Buncrana at noon today, at the same time as the leaders of the four main churches were signing
a similar book in the neighbouring cross-border city of Derry.
An hour earlier, ambulance and medical staff laid a wreath at Omagh where the victims died.
There were also messages of condolence sent to the families of all of the deceased by the Mayor of Londonderry and the chairman of Strabane district council.
The Mayor, Joe Miller said: "On behalf of Derry City Council and all the citizens of Londonderry, I wish to express our shock at the horrific event and extend our deepest sympathy."
The chairman of Strabane district council, Ivan Barr, said: "Words cannot express the horror and revulsion felt by the people of Strabane district as a result of this tragedy."
In the Strabane district, four Books of Condolence will be opened.
By William Allen
BUNCRANA came to a standstill just after midnight as three of its young sons came home in coffins.
Many of the town's 4,000-strong population watched and wept as the hearses carrying James Barker (12) Sean McLaughlin (12) and Oran Doherty (8) arrived from Omagh's temporary mortuary in Lisanally Army Barracks.
They had been there since Saturday when a day trip to the Ulster American Folk Park turned to horror when a decision was taken to go shopping in Omagh.
The three local boys died alongside two of their Spanish friends, Rocio Abad Ramos and Fernando Blasco.
The cortege was escorted along part of its 50-mile journey by members of the RUC.
The three hearses were met at Bridgend by a garda escort.
Both sets of police officers saluted as the bodies crossed the border on their final journey home.
Hundreds or people, who had waited for hours to pay their respects, stood with their heads bowed.
Garda superintendent Tom Long said it was one of the most difficult duties he ever had to supervise.
At Buncrana, the hearses went their separate ways to the respective family homes.
There were heartbreaking scenes outside each of the boys' homes as relatives were comforted by neighbours.
A special Mass was held in the town yesterday for the Spanish students, during which a Catholic priest publicly apologised for the
horrors inflicted on them.
Father Shane Bradley, who comes from Omagh, told them: "I hope you can forgive us, remembering the real Ireland instead of the 'Real' IRA.
"The one of the thousand welcomes rather than the one of the thousand bombs.
"What an evil sacrilege in my home town. I can say nothing else to you, only 'sorry."
He also challenged the bombers to meet the people they had maimed and the families of loved ones they had murdered.
The funerals of the three boys will take place tomorrow after a joint Requiem Mass which President Mary McAleese was expected to attend.
A Book of Condolences was opened in Buncrana at noon today, at the same time as the leaders of the four main churches were signing
a similar book in the neighbouring cross-border city of Derry.
An hour earlier, ambulance and medical staff laid a wreath at Omagh where the victims died.
There were also messages of condolence sent to the families of all of the deceased by the Mayor of Londonderry and the chairman of Strabane district council.
The Mayor, Joe Miller said: "On behalf of Derry City Council and all the citizens of Londonderry, I wish to express our shock at the horrific event and extend our deepest sympathy."
The chairman of Strabane district council, Ivan Barr, said: "Words cannot express the horror and revulsion felt by the people of Strabane district as a result of this tragedy."
In the Strabane district, four Books of Condolence will be opened.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0040
Published Date: 18-Aug-98
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