FAR TOO LATE
FAR TOO LATE
Real IRA calls truce but hunt will go on for Omagh bombers
By Staff Reporters
THE grief-stricken people of Omagh today branded the Real IRA ceasefire 'too little, too late.'
With memories of the bomb outrage still fresh in their minds, many spoke of their anger at the human cost of the 29 deaths it took for the ceasefire to be called.
The Real IRA announced "a complete cessation of all military activity" from midnight in a brief statement that made no mention of Omagh.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern summed up the feelings of many when he said: "It will not. unfortunately, bring the dead of Omagh back to life, heal the injured or comfort their families."
In Omagh today Robert Montgomery of Sperrin Close, spoke of his contempt for the Real IRA.
"I have got total contempt for those people, I don't believe a word they say. They should have done this thing right after the bomb. They have made no apology and our town is devastated."
Denise McSwiggan. from Dromore Road, a young mother, said: "I am glad, but it is too late. It is not going to bring back the 29 who died."
Ciaran Taggart from Fintona, added: "It is too late now. but I hope that it will last now that they have called it."
Johnny Garrity of Fintona Road, said: "The feeling is of shock and coming to terms rather than looking forward."
Annie Dennison added: "I hope they cease once and for all now. I don't think the town will ever get over it."
The ceasefire was met with a mixed response by politicians in Omagh.
Joe Byrne SDLP Assembly man for West Tyrone said that while the people of Omagh would in general welcome the move, it was of little comfort to the families of the bomb victims.
DUP Omagh councillor Oliver Gibson, whose niece Esther Gibson was killed in the bomb, said he believed that republican violence would soon re-emerge under a different name.
Barry McElduff. Sinn Fein West Tyrone Assembly man welcomed the decision, adding: "I believe the people of Omagh are still so overwhelmed with grief that they are not interested in the political implications of this decision."
The Ulster Unionist Deputy Chairman of Omagh District Council Alan Rainey, said no one would be satisfied until those responsible for the bomb were brought to justice.
In Banbridge, where hundreds of shoppers narrowly escaped death or serious injury when a 500lb car bomb exploded on August 2. John Houston, chairman of the local Chamber of Trade, described the statement as "too little, too late."
Real IRA calls truce but hunt will go on for Omagh bombers
By Staff Reporters
THE grief-stricken people of Omagh today branded the Real IRA ceasefire 'too little, too late.'
With memories of the bomb outrage still fresh in their minds, many spoke of their anger at the human cost of the 29 deaths it took for the ceasefire to be called.
The Real IRA announced "a complete cessation of all military activity" from midnight in a brief statement that made no mention of Omagh.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern summed up the feelings of many when he said: "It will not. unfortunately, bring the dead of Omagh back to life, heal the injured or comfort their families."
In Omagh today Robert Montgomery of Sperrin Close, spoke of his contempt for the Real IRA.
"I have got total contempt for those people, I don't believe a word they say. They should have done this thing right after the bomb. They have made no apology and our town is devastated."
Denise McSwiggan. from Dromore Road, a young mother, said: "I am glad, but it is too late. It is not going to bring back the 29 who died."
Ciaran Taggart from Fintona, added: "It is too late now. but I hope that it will last now that they have called it."
Johnny Garrity of Fintona Road, said: "The feeling is of shock and coming to terms rather than looking forward."
Annie Dennison added: "I hope they cease once and for all now. I don't think the town will ever get over it."
The ceasefire was met with a mixed response by politicians in Omagh.
Joe Byrne SDLP Assembly man for West Tyrone said that while the people of Omagh would in general welcome the move, it was of little comfort to the families of the bomb victims.
DUP Omagh councillor Oliver Gibson, whose niece Esther Gibson was killed in the bomb, said he believed that republican violence would soon re-emerge under a different name.
Barry McElduff. Sinn Fein West Tyrone Assembly man welcomed the decision, adding: "I believe the people of Omagh are still so overwhelmed with grief that they are not interested in the political implications of this decision."
The Ulster Unionist Deputy Chairman of Omagh District Council Alan Rainey, said no one would be satisfied until those responsible for the bomb were brought to justice.
In Banbridge, where hundreds of shoppers narrowly escaped death or serious injury when a 500lb car bomb exploded on August 2. John Houston, chairman of the local Chamber of Trade, described the statement as "too little, too late."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0393
Published Date: 08-Sep-98
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