BELFAST TELEGRAPH WEBSITE
My heart breaks for Ireland. We wish we could help, to take away the pain. God be with you all.'
Sheri Steinbrook, Columbus, Ohio.
THE Omagh massacre has triggered the greatest tidal wave of condolences and sympathy ever to hit Northern Ireland in the history of the Troubles.
Millions of people around the world have been overwhelmed with horror at the sheer scale of the atrocity.
Never before has a mass killing in the province sparked such widespread revulsion.
The messages of heartfelt sympathy have not only come from the many Irish communities dotted round the globe.
So far a staggering 8,000 messages have been sent to the Belfast Telegraph's website on the Internet.
They started flooding in when the website - Omagh: A blast of evil - was opened soon after the bombing on Saturday afternoon.
Internet users were invited to 'sign' a Book of Condolences and the immediate response was incredible.
Gerry Patterson, head of web design, said: "We have not seen anything like this since we started operating.
"In the first 48 hours we received more than 4,000 messages of sympathy and condolence from around the world."
Every single message will be printed out and sent to Omagh District Council.
These are some of them:
There's nothing that any of us in a land of peace, my country Canada, that could heal the enormous pain and loss caused by this horror. Please know, however, that so very many people are praying for the injured, the families of the injured and dead, the people of Omagh, and every person in Northern Ireland. I pray that lasting peace may come at last to a people whose suffering has been beyond imagination.' Joan Secord, Ontario, Canada.
"Our tears fall gently upon this tragedy and our hearts hold a special place for the families. Seek comfort, remember the happy times, and work for a solution so that all the residents of Northern Ireland can live full and happy lives." From Frank of Coleraine and Eileen of Sun Valley. California.
'This will be a nightmare that the people of Omagh will relive for a long time if not forever' John and Isobel Croger, Gold Coast, Australia.
'I wish I could hear the angels singing, today I only feel their tears.' Alexa and James Ewin, Canada.
'My heart aches for those who have lost their loved ones. A moment of terror and madness that will forever live in the heart of a native of Omagh.' Jim McBride, New York.
Our hearts and souls are with you at this time of unspeakable tragedy." Jerry Foy, President, Sister Cities Association of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
My heart breaks for Ireland. We wish we could help, to take away the pain. God be with you all.' Sheri Steinbrook, Columbus, Ohio.
We are many who mourn in our hearts for your loved ones.' Marjo Juusola, Finland.
"No human being can ever understand such horror. I am in disbelief even still....' Tremayne English, Swaziland, Africa.
What can I say that can take away the suffering and anguish of the people of Omagh?' Peter, Sydney, Australia.
I sit here, thousands of miles away with the rain falling at my window, broken of spirit my heart is broken for all of you. The young boy, the noble grandparent, the grieving husband, and a shocked island. Don't let these butchers succeed. You have all been through too much for too long. God bless.' Unknown.
Sheri Steinbrook, Columbus, Ohio.
THE Omagh massacre has triggered the greatest tidal wave of condolences and sympathy ever to hit Northern Ireland in the history of the Troubles.
Millions of people around the world have been overwhelmed with horror at the sheer scale of the atrocity.
Never before has a mass killing in the province sparked such widespread revulsion.
The messages of heartfelt sympathy have not only come from the many Irish communities dotted round the globe.
So far a staggering 8,000 messages have been sent to the Belfast Telegraph's website on the Internet.
They started flooding in when the website - Omagh: A blast of evil - was opened soon after the bombing on Saturday afternoon.
Internet users were invited to 'sign' a Book of Condolences and the immediate response was incredible.
Gerry Patterson, head of web design, said: "We have not seen anything like this since we started operating.
"In the first 48 hours we received more than 4,000 messages of sympathy and condolence from around the world."
Every single message will be printed out and sent to Omagh District Council.
These are some of them:
There's nothing that any of us in a land of peace, my country Canada, that could heal the enormous pain and loss caused by this horror. Please know, however, that so very many people are praying for the injured, the families of the injured and dead, the people of Omagh, and every person in Northern Ireland. I pray that lasting peace may come at last to a people whose suffering has been beyond imagination.' Joan Secord, Ontario, Canada.
"Our tears fall gently upon this tragedy and our hearts hold a special place for the families. Seek comfort, remember the happy times, and work for a solution so that all the residents of Northern Ireland can live full and happy lives." From Frank of Coleraine and Eileen of Sun Valley. California.
'This will be a nightmare that the people of Omagh will relive for a long time if not forever' John and Isobel Croger, Gold Coast, Australia.
'I wish I could hear the angels singing, today I only feel their tears.' Alexa and James Ewin, Canada.
'My heart aches for those who have lost their loved ones. A moment of terror and madness that will forever live in the heart of a native of Omagh.' Jim McBride, New York.
Our hearts and souls are with you at this time of unspeakable tragedy." Jerry Foy, President, Sister Cities Association of Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
My heart breaks for Ireland. We wish we could help, to take away the pain. God be with you all.' Sheri Steinbrook, Columbus, Ohio.
We are many who mourn in our hearts for your loved ones.' Marjo Juusola, Finland.
"No human being can ever understand such horror. I am in disbelief even still....' Tremayne English, Swaziland, Africa.
What can I say that can take away the suffering and anguish of the people of Omagh?' Peter, Sydney, Australia.
I sit here, thousands of miles away with the rain falling at my window, broken of spirit my heart is broken for all of you. The young boy, the noble grandparent, the grieving husband, and a shocked island. Don't let these butchers succeed. You have all been through too much for too long. God bless.' Unknown.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH EXTRA
Ref: BT/0222
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
Related Images
