DEMOCRATIC VOICE WILL PREVAIL
Democratic voice WILL prevail
Excuses only added insult to the hurt - Mr Ahern
THERE are no words that can adequately describe the appalling savagery of the evil attack on the heart of Omagh. To attack people going about the everyday business of life, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in the town on Saturday, is beyond belief and defies any type of logic.
I want to condemn this dastardly act in the strongest possible way. It was a cold, vicious, callous act. It has brought unbearable pain and devastation to innocent people.
The pathetic and insulting excuses offered yesterday only compound the hurt and the pain.
Our hearts go out to all of the victims, to the bereaved and to those who have suffered such terrible injuries. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you.
There were many instances on Saturday of individuals who acted with heroism and bravery in the midst of this terrible atrocity. I would like to pay tribute to them and the incredible work of all of the emergency and security services, who worked with such professionalism and sympathy in the face of devastation and trauma.
I would like to state in the clearest and strongest terms possible that we will do everything we can, working with the British Government, to bring those responsible to justice and to ensure that never again can a further such attack take place.
This was an attack on democracy and the desire of the Irish people for peace and accommodation. We will do whatever it takes to deal with those who are bent on this course. No option is excluded - the yardstick is whether a measure will be effective in crushing those concerned.
We cannot, and will not, let a small group who do not speak for anyone but themselves, use terror to frustrate the will of the people. I would like to send the strongest possible message to those responsible for this outrage - the Irish Government and security forces will root out and thwart your malign designs.
This vicious attack was carried out by a small few who do not want to give peace and democracy a chance and who are determined to undermine all our efforts to achieve peace. They are an isolated few who do not represent the will of the people which was so clearly voiced in the
overwhelming endorsement of the Good Friday Agreement.
It is clear that those responsible for this atrocity want to wreck the Agreement and I am determined that they will not succeed - the will of the people will be upheld."
While pain, grief, and suffering has been visited on the people of Omagh, we must ensure that the dark shadow of violence and fear does not prevail, and that we are not robbed of a future based on peace.
The future of this island lies only with those who voiced their opinions in the ballot box and who have chosen the path of democracy, and not with those who carry out such evil acts.
We note with considerable scepticism their statement of last night. But what we want to hear from them is that they will cease such violence unconditionally and forever.
We are determined to continue to work to implement the Agreement and to build a society based on the democratic principle which respects all traditions. Our mandate is from the people of Ireland, North and South, who voted in overwhelming numbers for the Agreement in the referenda on May 22. Prime Minister Blair and myself are united in our resolve to implement the Agreement in all its aspects.
In the security sphere. Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, the Minister for Justice John O'Donoghue and our security forces are working closely together and we will take whatever action is necessary and do whatever it takes to suppress those who seeks to defy the will of the people of Ireland.
This kind of violence can never succeed, and we will not let it deprive us of the peace which we have all worked so hard for. While our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been bereaved and those who were injured, our hopes are for a future based on democracy and respect.
We will continue to work tirelessly to create that future, and to make sure that it is the democratic voice of the people that prevails.
Excuses only added insult to the hurt - Mr Ahern
THERE are no words that can adequately describe the appalling savagery of the evil attack on the heart of Omagh. To attack people going about the everyday business of life, enjoying the carnival atmosphere in the town on Saturday, is beyond belief and defies any type of logic.
I want to condemn this dastardly act in the strongest possible way. It was a cold, vicious, callous act. It has brought unbearable pain and devastation to innocent people.
The pathetic and insulting excuses offered yesterday only compound the hurt and the pain.
Our hearts go out to all of the victims, to the bereaved and to those who have suffered such terrible injuries. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with you.
There were many instances on Saturday of individuals who acted with heroism and bravery in the midst of this terrible atrocity. I would like to pay tribute to them and the incredible work of all of the emergency and security services, who worked with such professionalism and sympathy in the face of devastation and trauma.
I would like to state in the clearest and strongest terms possible that we will do everything we can, working with the British Government, to bring those responsible to justice and to ensure that never again can a further such attack take place.
This was an attack on democracy and the desire of the Irish people for peace and accommodation. We will do whatever it takes to deal with those who are bent on this course. No option is excluded - the yardstick is whether a measure will be effective in crushing those concerned.
We cannot, and will not, let a small group who do not speak for anyone but themselves, use terror to frustrate the will of the people. I would like to send the strongest possible message to those responsible for this outrage - the Irish Government and security forces will root out and thwart your malign designs.
This vicious attack was carried out by a small few who do not want to give peace and democracy a chance and who are determined to undermine all our efforts to achieve peace. They are an isolated few who do not represent the will of the people which was so clearly voiced in the
overwhelming endorsement of the Good Friday Agreement.
It is clear that those responsible for this atrocity want to wreck the Agreement and I am determined that they will not succeed - the will of the people will be upheld."
While pain, grief, and suffering has been visited on the people of Omagh, we must ensure that the dark shadow of violence and fear does not prevail, and that we are not robbed of a future based on peace.
The future of this island lies only with those who voiced their opinions in the ballot box and who have chosen the path of democracy, and not with those who carry out such evil acts.
We note with considerable scepticism their statement of last night. But what we want to hear from them is that they will cease such violence unconditionally and forever.
We are determined to continue to work to implement the Agreement and to build a society based on the democratic principle which respects all traditions. Our mandate is from the people of Ireland, North and South, who voted in overwhelming numbers for the Agreement in the referenda on May 22. Prime Minister Blair and myself are united in our resolve to implement the Agreement in all its aspects.
In the security sphere. Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, the Minister for Justice John O'Donoghue and our security forces are working closely together and we will take whatever action is necessary and do whatever it takes to suppress those who seeks to defy the will of the people of Ireland.
This kind of violence can never succeed, and we will not let it deprive us of the peace which we have all worked so hard for. While our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been bereaved and those who were injured, our hopes are for a future based on democracy and respect.
We will continue to work tirelessly to create that future, and to make sure that it is the democratic voice of the people that prevails.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0097
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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