SERVICE FOR OMAGH VICTIMS
Service for Omagh victims
By Michael McHugh
OMAGH bomb victims are to hold a memorial service this weekend to mark the sixth anniversary of the most bloody atrocity of the Troubles.
The Republic's Transport Minister, Seamus Brennan, and a senior civil servant from the Northern Ireland Office will attend the ceremony in the town's memorial garden on Sunday.
On August 15, 1998, the Real IRA car bomb killed 31 men, women, children and unborn babies, injured hundreds and prompted one of the most complex cross-border police investigations in Europe.
On this sixth anniversary of the slaughter, Omagh victims' spokesman Michael Gallagher said that while no one was brought to justice, the families' suffering would continue.
"It is a difficult time for all the relatives. Here we are at the sixth anniversary and nobody has been charged with the bombing," he said.
"The best friend of the Spanish group leader, Rocia Abad Ramos, will attend the interdenominational service of prayer, song and music, and there will be a peace group - Pax Cristi - coming from Dublin."
The memorial garden is close to the blast site.
Earlier this month Mr Gallagher called for a public inquiry into the police's handling of the catastrophe and he has been a steadfast critic of the authorities' handling of the disaster.
By Michael McHugh
OMAGH bomb victims are to hold a memorial service this weekend to mark the sixth anniversary of the most bloody atrocity of the Troubles.
The Republic's Transport Minister, Seamus Brennan, and a senior civil servant from the Northern Ireland Office will attend the ceremony in the town's memorial garden on Sunday.
On August 15, 1998, the Real IRA car bomb killed 31 men, women, children and unborn babies, injured hundreds and prompted one of the most complex cross-border police investigations in Europe.
On this sixth anniversary of the slaughter, Omagh victims' spokesman Michael Gallagher said that while no one was brought to justice, the families' suffering would continue.
"It is a difficult time for all the relatives. Here we are at the sixth anniversary and nobody has been charged with the bombing," he said.
"The best friend of the Spanish group leader, Rocia Abad Ramos, will attend the interdenominational service of prayer, song and music, and there will be a peace group - Pax Cristi - coming from Dublin."
The memorial garden is close to the blast site.
Earlier this month Mr Gallagher called for a public inquiry into the police's handling of the catastrophe and he has been a steadfast critic of the authorities' handling of the disaster.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0942
Published Date: 13-Aug-04
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