DISSIDENTS' RALLY ANGERS OMAGH
Dissidents' rally angers Omagh
By Maureen Coleman
ANGRY relatives of the Omagh bomb victims today called on young people to turn their backs on a dissident republican rally to be staged in Dublin. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the 1998 explosion, said families of the victims were planning to travel to the Irish capital to protest at the planned parade next month.
It is understood the rally has been planned to commemmorate the Easter Rising and will be attended by high-ranking members of the 32 County Sovereignty-Committee - the Real IRA's political wing. Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, chairman of the group, is expected to address the rally. Mr Gallagher said he was "saddened" that the parade was going ahead. But he said banning it would only make the organisers into "victims". "I am saddened and disappointed that these people are continuing with this rally," he said.
"If we feel it worthwhile, we will be there to challenge them and to highlight the injustice and their failings in the area of human rights, particularly with regards to Omagh.
"However, it would be wrong to ban the parade as the last thing we want to do is make them victims.
"We can only pray that the young people do not come out and support them."
Victor Barker, who lost his son James in the bombing , said he would be confronting Mr Mackie to ask him to condemn the bombing.
The councillor has continuously refused to condemn the atrocity.
By Maureen Coleman
ANGRY relatives of the Omagh bomb victims today called on young people to turn their backs on a dissident republican rally to be staged in Dublin. Michael Gallagher, whose son Aidan was killed in the 1998 explosion, said families of the victims were planning to travel to the Irish capital to protest at the planned parade next month.
It is understood the rally has been planned to commemmorate the Easter Rising and will be attended by high-ranking members of the 32 County Sovereignty-Committee - the Real IRA's political wing. Omagh councillor Francis Mackey, chairman of the group, is expected to address the rally. Mr Gallagher said he was "saddened" that the parade was going ahead. But he said banning it would only make the organisers into "victims". "I am saddened and disappointed that these people are continuing with this rally," he said.
"If we feel it worthwhile, we will be there to challenge them and to highlight the injustice and their failings in the area of human rights, particularly with regards to Omagh.
"However, it would be wrong to ban the parade as the last thing we want to do is make them victims.
"We can only pray that the young people do not come out and support them."
Victor Barker, who lost his son James in the bombing , said he would be confronting Mr Mackie to ask him to condemn the bombing.
The councillor has continuously refused to condemn the atrocity.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0769
Published Date: 19-Mar-01
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