ULSTER'S THIRD DAY OF GRIEVING
Ulster's third day of grieving
ONLY one day after the overwhelming grief of 16 funerals, another eight families said final farewells to their dead from Saturday's Omagh bombing.
The parish of Drumragh is mourning two loving wives and mothers.
Geraldine Breslin (35), and Libby Rush (57), leave behind grieving husbands and children.
Mass for Mrs Breslin, who had one son, Gareth, was said by curate Fr John Forbes at St Joseph's church in Omagh. He had married Geraldine and husband Mark only three years ago.
A few hours later, the congregation of St Mary's began to say goodbye to Mrs Rush who leaves behind two sons, one daughter, and her heartbroken husband Lawrence.
Both women died in shops only yards away from where the car bomb exploded on Saturday. They had thought they were safe.
Mrs Breslin's co-workers at Wattersons drapers, Ann McCombe (48), was also expected to be buried today.
The mother of two, whom husband Stanley described as his "best friend", had celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in June.
Mr McCombe and his sons, Colan (18) and 22 year old Clive led the mourners at today's funeral.
Mrs McCombe was laid to rest beside Mountjoy Presbyterian Church in Omagh where she sang in the choir.
Her minister, the Rev Ian Mairs, said the bomb was an offence against the community which had evoked a powerful response from the community.
''Undoubtedly designed to drive a wedge through this community, I believe time alone will show this was the decisive act in unleashing a fierce determination from the people of Omagh to stand together as a community," said Mr Mairs.
Julia Hughes, a 21-year-old student at Dundee University, had a summer job working at the Image Xpress shop in Omagh.
Like many others she was evacuated and ran into the full force of the blast.
Today, mourners gathered at Omagh Methodist Church. They were led by her parents Alex and Helen, twin brother Justin, other brother Richard and sister Lara.
Friends and family of Deborah Anne Cartwright told how excited the 20-year-old was over the textile degree course at Manchester University she was due to start in September. Today they gathered for her funeral.
The Rev Ruth Adams told the congregation of St Columba's church in Omagh that Deborah was someone who lived life to the full.
"The phrases I have heard about Deborah Anne are that she was full of life, she lived life to the full. Her family want to celebrate that and to thank God for that.
"They also want to express their sympathy and ours for all who are bereaved. We still have hope in this community because of the love everyone has shown since this terrible tragedy," she said.
Speaking at the funeral of Samantha McFarland (17), the Rev Derek Quinn said the Strabane Grammar school pupil was "a lovely girl, in every sense of the word."
The teenager was working along with her friend, Lorraine Wilson, who was buried yesterday, in the town's Oxfam shop when it was evacuated after a misleading warning was received about where the bomb was placed.
A service was due to be held in Lislimnaghan Church today where Samantha was confirmed five years ago.
Hundreds attended St Mary's church in Killyclogher to pay their last respects to Brian McCrory (54)
Mr Crory, of Ballinamullen Road, Omagh leaves behind his widow Bernadette and three children Colin, Brian, and Louise. Mr McCrory (54), ran a crane-hire firm.
Father Eugene Hasson, who is also the Tyrone County Hospital chaplain, said Mr McCrory died in the most violent way imaginable, in complete contrast to the gentleless of his life.
"Even now, five days later, after most of the 28 funerals, we still find it hard to believe that such a thing could have happened here in Omagh, but it did."
Esther Gibson (36) from Beragh was due to marry fiance Kenneth Hawkes next year.
Today she was to be buried after a service at Sixmilecross Free Presbyterian Church.
ONLY one day after the overwhelming grief of 16 funerals, another eight families said final farewells to their dead from Saturday's Omagh bombing.
The parish of Drumragh is mourning two loving wives and mothers.
Geraldine Breslin (35), and Libby Rush (57), leave behind grieving husbands and children.
Mass for Mrs Breslin, who had one son, Gareth, was said by curate Fr John Forbes at St Joseph's church in Omagh. He had married Geraldine and husband Mark only three years ago.
A few hours later, the congregation of St Mary's began to say goodbye to Mrs Rush who leaves behind two sons, one daughter, and her heartbroken husband Lawrence.
Both women died in shops only yards away from where the car bomb exploded on Saturday. They had thought they were safe.
Mrs Breslin's co-workers at Wattersons drapers, Ann McCombe (48), was also expected to be buried today.
The mother of two, whom husband Stanley described as his "best friend", had celebrated their silver wedding anniversary in June.
Mr McCombe and his sons, Colan (18) and 22 year old Clive led the mourners at today's funeral.
Mrs McCombe was laid to rest beside Mountjoy Presbyterian Church in Omagh where she sang in the choir.
Her minister, the Rev Ian Mairs, said the bomb was an offence against the community which had evoked a powerful response from the community.
''Undoubtedly designed to drive a wedge through this community, I believe time alone will show this was the decisive act in unleashing a fierce determination from the people of Omagh to stand together as a community," said Mr Mairs.
Julia Hughes, a 21-year-old student at Dundee University, had a summer job working at the Image Xpress shop in Omagh.
Like many others she was evacuated and ran into the full force of the blast.
Today, mourners gathered at Omagh Methodist Church. They were led by her parents Alex and Helen, twin brother Justin, other brother Richard and sister Lara.
Friends and family of Deborah Anne Cartwright told how excited the 20-year-old was over the textile degree course at Manchester University she was due to start in September. Today they gathered for her funeral.
The Rev Ruth Adams told the congregation of St Columba's church in Omagh that Deborah was someone who lived life to the full.
"The phrases I have heard about Deborah Anne are that she was full of life, she lived life to the full. Her family want to celebrate that and to thank God for that.
"They also want to express their sympathy and ours for all who are bereaved. We still have hope in this community because of the love everyone has shown since this terrible tragedy," she said.
Speaking at the funeral of Samantha McFarland (17), the Rev Derek Quinn said the Strabane Grammar school pupil was "a lovely girl, in every sense of the word."
The teenager was working along with her friend, Lorraine Wilson, who was buried yesterday, in the town's Oxfam shop when it was evacuated after a misleading warning was received about where the bomb was placed.
A service was due to be held in Lislimnaghan Church today where Samantha was confirmed five years ago.
Hundreds attended St Mary's church in Killyclogher to pay their last respects to Brian McCrory (54)
Mr Crory, of Ballinamullen Road, Omagh leaves behind his widow Bernadette and three children Colin, Brian, and Louise. Mr McCrory (54), ran a crane-hire firm.
Father Eugene Hasson, who is also the Tyrone County Hospital chaplain, said Mr McCrory died in the most violent way imaginable, in complete contrast to the gentleless of his life.
"Even now, five days later, after most of the 28 funerals, we still find it hard to believe that such a thing could have happened here in Omagh, but it did."
Esther Gibson (36) from Beragh was due to marry fiance Kenneth Hawkes next year.
Today she was to be buried after a service at Sixmilecross Free Presbyterian Church.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0118
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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