REPUBLIC JOINS SILENT TRIBUTE
Republic joins silent tribute
THE Irish Republic will come to a standstill soon after 3pm today to salute the dead of the Omagh bomb blast.
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who will himself be in the Tyrone town to pay personal tribute to the terrorist victims, has requested everyone on the southern side of the Irish border to observe a minute's silence at 3.10pm, the moment of last Saturday's mass-murder explosion.
Scores of centres throughout the Republic plan special services to honour the 28 who died and remember the more than 200 people who were injured.
One of the most significant will go ahead at Dundalk.
The town has found itself linked to the Omagh bombing because it is home to Michael and Bernadette McKevitt, members of the hardline republican 32 County Sovereignty Committee, reputed allies of the Real IRA terror group behind the outrage.
Some traders there, furious at their town being dragged into the Omagh furore, will close early to join in a show of solidarity.
One businessman, Brian O'Neill, said "It's a demonstration by the people of this town, who voted, like people all over Ireland, for the
Northern Ireland peace agreement."
Other memorial events will be staged at Dublin's main Roman Catholic church, where Archbishop Desmond Connell is to celebrate mass.
Another will be at the city's Croke Park sports stadium, where an inter-denominational service will be held on the pitch and in the stands ahead of an all-Ireland hurling final between Co Clare and Co Offaly.
The most poignant ceremony in the Republic is set for Buncrana, Co Donegal, where three of the victims lived and two others, members of a student party from Spain, were staying.
Urging support for the nationwide events, Mr Ahern said: "I, would ask everyone to support the request of the four Irish Church leaders for
the people of Ireland to express their sympathy and solidarity with the people of Omagh.
"I want people to come out in their droves to participate and observe the minute's silence.
"We must all go out in huge numbers if we can. It will be an important act of solidarity at this time."
At Mr Ahern's directive, all Irish flags have flown at half mast since the bombing.
Meanwhile two men being held over the Omagh bomb were today still being questioned by police.
The RUC confirmed the men, who were among a number arrested earlier in the week, remained in custody.
Three other suspects questioned about the 5001b terrorist bomb were released without charge.
THE Irish Republic will come to a standstill soon after 3pm today to salute the dead of the Omagh bomb blast.
Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who will himself be in the Tyrone town to pay personal tribute to the terrorist victims, has requested everyone on the southern side of the Irish border to observe a minute's silence at 3.10pm, the moment of last Saturday's mass-murder explosion.
Scores of centres throughout the Republic plan special services to honour the 28 who died and remember the more than 200 people who were injured.
One of the most significant will go ahead at Dundalk.
The town has found itself linked to the Omagh bombing because it is home to Michael and Bernadette McKevitt, members of the hardline republican 32 County Sovereignty Committee, reputed allies of the Real IRA terror group behind the outrage.
Some traders there, furious at their town being dragged into the Omagh furore, will close early to join in a show of solidarity.
One businessman, Brian O'Neill, said "It's a demonstration by the people of this town, who voted, like people all over Ireland, for the
Northern Ireland peace agreement."
Other memorial events will be staged at Dublin's main Roman Catholic church, where Archbishop Desmond Connell is to celebrate mass.
Another will be at the city's Croke Park sports stadium, where an inter-denominational service will be held on the pitch and in the stands ahead of an all-Ireland hurling final between Co Clare and Co Offaly.
The most poignant ceremony in the Republic is set for Buncrana, Co Donegal, where three of the victims lived and two others, members of a student party from Spain, were staying.
Urging support for the nationwide events, Mr Ahern said: "I, would ask everyone to support the request of the four Irish Church leaders for
the people of Ireland to express their sympathy and solidarity with the people of Omagh.
"I want people to come out in their droves to participate and observe the minute's silence.
"We must all go out in huge numbers if we can. It will be an important act of solidarity at this time."
At Mr Ahern's directive, all Irish flags have flown at half mast since the bombing.
Meanwhile two men being held over the Omagh bomb were today still being questioned by police.
The RUC confirmed the men, who were among a number arrested earlier in the week, remained in custody.
Three other suspects questioned about the 5001b terrorist bomb were released without charge.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0184
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
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