2005 I HOPE WE HAVE A FULL PUBLIC INQUIRY AND GET THE TRUTH ABOUT OMAGH
I hope we have a full public inquiry and get the truth about Omagh
Michael Gallagher, Omagh Support and Self-Help Group
Michael's son Aidan (21) was among the 29 people killed in the 1998 bomb: "Obviously Christmas and the New Year mean an unbelievable amount of memories for us as a family. Both those times are associated with happiness and good times, when the whole family comes together. But for us, as for so many other families, it can never be the same again.
"My way of getting through it is to try and cut back on the thinking and just keep myself busy.
"The most important thing happening for me in the early part of 2005 is attending the second International Conference of Victims of Terrorism in Bogota, Columbia. That takes place on February 23 and 24 and it'll mean a 14-hour flight to get there, but I know it'll be worth it.
"Last January I attended the first conference in Madrid and I met people from all over - Columbia, Israel, America, France and from Spain itself, where, of course, there are many victims of ETA. The most moving moment came when a 22-year-old lieutenant from the Columbia army came onto the stage in his wheelchair. He was the victim of a booby trap bombing and has lost both his legs, one arm and an eye. Four fingers were missing from his surviving hand. There he was, still trying to get on with his life. That's what terrorism does to people.
"My main hope for 2005 would be that police on both sides of the border catch the people responsible for the Omagh bomb.
"Failing that, I hope that we have a full public inquiry and get the truth about Omagh. I'd also hope that every other victim gets the same sort of resolution as that."
Michael Gallagher, Omagh Support and Self-Help Group
Michael's son Aidan (21) was among the 29 people killed in the 1998 bomb: "Obviously Christmas and the New Year mean an unbelievable amount of memories for us as a family. Both those times are associated with happiness and good times, when the whole family comes together. But for us, as for so many other families, it can never be the same again.
"My way of getting through it is to try and cut back on the thinking and just keep myself busy.
"The most important thing happening for me in the early part of 2005 is attending the second International Conference of Victims of Terrorism in Bogota, Columbia. That takes place on February 23 and 24 and it'll mean a 14-hour flight to get there, but I know it'll be worth it.
"Last January I attended the first conference in Madrid and I met people from all over - Columbia, Israel, America, France and from Spain itself, where, of course, there are many victims of ETA. The most moving moment came when a 22-year-old lieutenant from the Columbia army came onto the stage in his wheelchair. He was the victim of a booby trap bombing and has lost both his legs, one arm and an eye. Four fingers were missing from his surviving hand. There he was, still trying to get on with his life. That's what terrorism does to people.
"My main hope for 2005 would be that police on both sides of the border catch the people responsible for the Omagh bomb.
"Failing that, I hope that we have a full public inquiry and get the truth about Omagh. I'd also hope that every other victim gets the same sort of resolution as that."
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/0951
Published Date: 03-Jan-05
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