NORTH AND SOUTH UNITE FOR MINUTE'S SILENCE
North and South poised to unite for minute's silence
By Noel McAdam
A MINUTE'S silence is to be held across Ireland as a mark of respect for the Omagh bomb victims.
The massive act of solidarity will be observed this Saturday at the time the massacre happened - 3.08pm.
The four main Church leaders called for the gesture as they urged people across Ireland to express their sympathy and solidarity with the people of Omagh.
A half-hour act of reflection culminating in the silence will also be held in Omagh itself on Saturday, beginning at 2.45pm.
Catholic Primate Sean Brady. Presbyterian Moderator the Rev John Dixon, Church of Ireland Primate Robin Eames and Methodist President the Rev David Kerr are to take part in the Omagh service.
They met in Armagh yesterday to discuss a response to the atrocity, including First Minister David Trimble's call for a national day of mourning.
An appeal fund has been set up in the aftermath of Saturday's atrocity. Donations can be made to Omagh Memorial Fund First Trust Bank, High Street, Omagh Account No: 55876365 Sort Code: 93-81-30
A joint statement also said: "Where possible, we request local clergy to organise an appropriate act of reflection involving all the churches in their area."
Mr Kerr, speaking on behalf of the four leaders, said the Omagh bomb had touched everyone across Northern Ireland who realised it could have been their relatives or their town.
Meanwhile, the author of a book on Bloody Sunday has called on the Irish Government to call a national day of mourning over Omagh.
Don Mullan, who wrote Eyewitness Bloody Sunday, said the Irish had held national days of mourning after Bloody Sunday and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974.
�'In the context of the magnitude of the Omagh massacre, clearly aimed at derailing the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Government should call
for a National Day of Mourning to coincide with the funerals," he said.
By Noel McAdam
A MINUTE'S silence is to be held across Ireland as a mark of respect for the Omagh bomb victims.
The massive act of solidarity will be observed this Saturday at the time the massacre happened - 3.08pm.
The four main Church leaders called for the gesture as they urged people across Ireland to express their sympathy and solidarity with the people of Omagh.
A half-hour act of reflection culminating in the silence will also be held in Omagh itself on Saturday, beginning at 2.45pm.
Catholic Primate Sean Brady. Presbyterian Moderator the Rev John Dixon, Church of Ireland Primate Robin Eames and Methodist President the Rev David Kerr are to take part in the Omagh service.
They met in Armagh yesterday to discuss a response to the atrocity, including First Minister David Trimble's call for a national day of mourning.
An appeal fund has been set up in the aftermath of Saturday's atrocity. Donations can be made to Omagh Memorial Fund First Trust Bank, High Street, Omagh Account No: 55876365 Sort Code: 93-81-30
A joint statement also said: "Where possible, we request local clergy to organise an appropriate act of reflection involving all the churches in their area."
Mr Kerr, speaking on behalf of the four leaders, said the Omagh bomb had touched everyone across Northern Ireland who realised it could have been their relatives or their town.
Meanwhile, the author of a book on Bloody Sunday has called on the Irish Government to call a national day of mourning over Omagh.
Don Mullan, who wrote Eyewitness Bloody Sunday, said the Irish had held national days of mourning after Bloody Sunday and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings in 1974.
�'In the context of the magnitude of the Omagh massacre, clearly aimed at derailing the Good Friday Agreement, the Irish Government should call
for a National Day of Mourning to coincide with the funerals," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0051
Published Date: 18-Aug-98
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