BABY BREDA IS AN ANGEL UP IN HEAVEN
Baby Breda 'is an angel up in heaven'
By Suzanne Rodgers
One of the youngest victims of the Omagh bomb was buried today as her mother lay critically ill in hospital.
Breda Devine, just 20-months-old, was laid to rest at Donemana, Co Tyrone, after Requiem Mass in St -Mary's Church, Aghabrack. Her mother Tracey is critically ill in hospital, together with her uncle Gary McGillion and his fiancee Donna Marie Keyes.
They were in Omagh to buy shoes for Breda, who was to be a flower girl at Gary and Donna's wedding next week.
Parish priest Father George Doherty searched for the words to bring comfort to Breda's heartbroken father Paul.
The couple have three other children Aaron (6), Niamh (3) and Shay (2).
Today Fr Doherty tried, as he has been doing over the past few days, to bring some comfort to the Devine and McGillion families.
He described Breda's death as 'the cruel action of a stranger' and prayed for God to forgive those responsible and bring about a change in their hearts.
In his homily he relied heavily on the special Catholic church ritual for the funerals of children.
He also told the congregation: "We grieve over the loss of one so young and struggle to understand. Breda Devine was a child who was only begining the programme of life given to her by the Author of life.
"We are very aware that Breda was a special child who struggled so bravely against all the odds. Sadly her mother Tracey is now struggling for her life. We remember her and pray too for Paul who carries such a burden of sadness, mixed with hope."
Friends and neighbours, were among those who gathered at St Mary's Church, Aghabrack.
Speaking before the funeral Breda's aunt Marina Devine said: "My brother Paul is, like us all, in a terrible state. We have told the two oldest children that Breda is an angel up in heaven with God now and that mammy is sick.
"I don't know how we are going to get over this."
By Suzanne Rodgers
One of the youngest victims of the Omagh bomb was buried today as her mother lay critically ill in hospital.
Breda Devine, just 20-months-old, was laid to rest at Donemana, Co Tyrone, after Requiem Mass in St -Mary's Church, Aghabrack. Her mother Tracey is critically ill in hospital, together with her uncle Gary McGillion and his fiancee Donna Marie Keyes.
They were in Omagh to buy shoes for Breda, who was to be a flower girl at Gary and Donna's wedding next week.
Parish priest Father George Doherty searched for the words to bring comfort to Breda's heartbroken father Paul.
The couple have three other children Aaron (6), Niamh (3) and Shay (2).
Today Fr Doherty tried, as he has been doing over the past few days, to bring some comfort to the Devine and McGillion families.
He described Breda's death as 'the cruel action of a stranger' and prayed for God to forgive those responsible and bring about a change in their hearts.
In his homily he relied heavily on the special Catholic church ritual for the funerals of children.
He also told the congregation: "We grieve over the loss of one so young and struggle to understand. Breda Devine was a child who was only begining the programme of life given to her by the Author of life.
"We are very aware that Breda was a special child who struggled so bravely against all the odds. Sadly her mother Tracey is now struggling for her life. We remember her and pray too for Paul who carries such a burden of sadness, mixed with hope."
Friends and neighbours, were among those who gathered at St Mary's Church, Aghabrack.
Speaking before the funeral Breda's aunt Marina Devine said: "My brother Paul is, like us all, in a terrible state. We have told the two oldest children that Breda is an angel up in heaven with God now and that mammy is sick.
"I don't know how we are going to get over this."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0626
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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