FATHER'S RAGE AT FUNERAL
Father's rage at funeral
By Marie Foy
THE father of an Omagh bomb victim said today he was outraged by a paramilitary style funeral for Real IRA member, actor Robbie Doolin.
The funeral of Doolin, a star of the RTE sitcom Upwardly Mobile, took place in Dublin yesterday. His coffin was flanked by a republican colour party garbed in black berets and green khaki jumpers and led by a woman piper.
The casket was also draped in a tricolour with a black beret on top as the remains were brought to St Bernadette's Church in the city.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was one of the victims of the Omagh bomb, said he was horrified to learn that Doolin was associated with the breakaway terror group. "It is very disappointing that people who are perceived as role models decide to follow this path. It isn't a very positive image to be sending out to young people," he said. "I am sure it has given this particular group a shot in the arm.
"It never ceases to amaze me the number of high profile people who adopt these groups. What makes me sad is that there are so many good causes they could take up. It can be very depressing." Mr Gallagher's son was only 21 when he was killed in the devastating Real IRA blast in August 1998. the bomb also claimed the lives of 28 others and injured scores more.
The grieving father said: "It is very sad people get involved with groupings that are so willing to take others' lives to pursue their own political ends." He added: "It just goes to show you that these people can reach into every part of society and get support.
"How many more people will have to die before people realise what this organisation is all about."
Those who attended included actors from Upwardly Mobile, Fair City, Ballykissangel and the films The Commitments and The Snapper.
Doolin was beaten to death last week outside a cab company in Dublin after a row.
By Marie Foy
THE father of an Omagh bomb victim said today he was outraged by a paramilitary style funeral for Real IRA member, actor Robbie Doolin.
The funeral of Doolin, a star of the RTE sitcom Upwardly Mobile, took place in Dublin yesterday. His coffin was flanked by a republican colour party garbed in black berets and green khaki jumpers and led by a woman piper.
The casket was also draped in a tricolour with a black beret on top as the remains were brought to St Bernadette's Church in the city.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was one of the victims of the Omagh bomb, said he was horrified to learn that Doolin was associated with the breakaway terror group. "It is very disappointing that people who are perceived as role models decide to follow this path. It isn't a very positive image to be sending out to young people," he said. "I am sure it has given this particular group a shot in the arm.
"It never ceases to amaze me the number of high profile people who adopt these groups. What makes me sad is that there are so many good causes they could take up. It can be very depressing." Mr Gallagher's son was only 21 when he was killed in the devastating Real IRA blast in August 1998. the bomb also claimed the lives of 28 others and injured scores more.
The grieving father said: "It is very sad people get involved with groupings that are so willing to take others' lives to pursue their own political ends." He added: "It just goes to show you that these people can reach into every part of society and get support.
"How many more people will have to die before people realise what this organisation is all about."
Those who attended included actors from Upwardly Mobile, Fair City, Ballykissangel and the films The Commitments and The Snapper.
Doolin was beaten to death last week outside a cab company in Dublin after a row.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0756
Published Date: 29-Aug-00
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