OMAGH VICTIMS' RELATIVES GATHER IN SHADOW OF A ROW OVER MEMORIAL STONE
Omagh victims' relatives gather in shadow of a row over memorial stone
RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims stood yesterday in silent memory of those killed in the massacre - amid growing anxiety over next year's milestone anniversary.
Nine years after the August 1998 terrorist strike which left 29 dead, hundreds more injured and the Co Tyrone town devastated, the annual service drew together families, friends and representatives from three governments.
The interdenominational event at the Memorial Garden, just yards from the scene of the Real IRA bombing, offered the chance for quiet reflection.
Spanish Consul General Dr Valdes and Irish junior Justice Minister Sean Power - whose countries both suffered losses in the atrocity - were among those who attended.
But the row over a planned memorial stone and a redesigned memorial garden in time for the 10th anniversary continues to cast a long shadow.
Omagh councillors and some of the families remain at odds over a planned inscription on the stone, which was to declare the victims were murdered by dissident republicans.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the bombing, said: "We are concerned that our views are not going to be listened to, and we will not get the appropriate memorial created that the families feel comfortable with.
"And as far as the garden goes, there are five designs from which one will be chosen. But we feel that the families and people who have been directly involved over the past nine years, their views will not be taken into consideration in the way they should be. The council are the lead agency, and we have withdrawn from it because we feel our views have not been properly listened to.
"All of us can create a memorial that can be a fitting tribute to the victims of the Omagh bomb."
Despite his fears, Mr Gallagher was heartened by the turn-out for today's service.
"It was very well attended, better than previous years, and very poignant."
ALAN ERWIN
RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims stood yesterday in silent memory of those killed in the massacre - amid growing anxiety over next year's milestone anniversary.
Nine years after the August 1998 terrorist strike which left 29 dead, hundreds more injured and the Co Tyrone town devastated, the annual service drew together families, friends and representatives from three governments.
The interdenominational event at the Memorial Garden, just yards from the scene of the Real IRA bombing, offered the chance for quiet reflection.
Spanish Consul General Dr Valdes and Irish junior Justice Minister Sean Power - whose countries both suffered losses in the atrocity - were among those who attended.
But the row over a planned memorial stone and a redesigned memorial garden in time for the 10th anniversary continues to cast a long shadow.
Omagh councillors and some of the families remain at odds over a planned inscription on the stone, which was to declare the victims were murdered by dissident republicans.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the bombing, said: "We are concerned that our views are not going to be listened to, and we will not get the appropriate memorial created that the families feel comfortable with.
"And as far as the garden goes, there are five designs from which one will be chosen. But we feel that the families and people who have been directly involved over the past nine years, their views will not be taken into consideration in the way they should be. The council are the lead agency, and we have withdrawn from it because we feel our views have not been properly listened to.
"All of us can create a memorial that can be a fitting tribute to the victims of the Omagh bomb."
Despite his fears, Mr Gallagher was heartened by the turn-out for today's service.
"It was very well attended, better than previous years, and very poignant."
ALAN ERWIN
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT/1038
Published Date: 13-Aug-07
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