RENEWED CALL FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY AT OMAGH MEMORIAL
Renewed call for public inquiry at Omagh memorial
BY ADRIAN RUTHERFORD
THERE were fresh calls today for a full cross-border public inquiry into the Omagh bombing as relatives of those who died gathered for a service of remembrance.
Over 10 years have passed since a Real IRA car bomb exploded in the town but no one has been convicted in connection with the atrocity, which claimed the lives of 29 people and two unborn twins.
On Friday Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he supported calls for a cross-border inquiry.
Yesterday's service was organised by Omagh Support and Self Help Group. Several of its members, including chairman Michael Gallagher and vice-chairman Kevin Skelton, had boycotted the official event on Friday.
They were unhappy with the council's choice of wording on memorials at the bomb site and at the Garden of Remembrance.
"Many people have asked why we have had two memorial services, but the question should be why should we not have two memorial services?" Mr Gallagher told those who gathered at the memorial garden on Drumragh Avenue.
Several hundred people attended the 30-minute service during which Mr Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the victims, repeated his calls for a full probe.
"We have not received justice in Omagh. Sadly, it is not wreaths that we need, it is justice and truth."
Representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish governments attended the service.
Omagh District Council was also represented by vice-chairman Josephine Deehan.
Mr Gallagher opened the service which included short verses from Amy Reid, a cousin of Aiden, and Claire Radford, whose brother Alan was among the victims.
Then, for the second time is as many days, the town fell silent as the names of the dead were read out before families placed floral tributes around the memorial wall.
Former Lebanon hostage Terry Waite, who spoke at Friday's service, was not able to attend but sent a message of support.
He said: "If I were with you today I would ask you to do one thing, and that is to look to the future.
"A new generation has grown up in Omagh and it is to them that we should look. Static memorials have their place but living memorials also have tremendous value."
In his closing address, Mr Gallagher praised the support of the media for keeping Omagh in the spotlight over the last decade.
"They are the people who have not deserted us and who have consistently supported us during the last 10 years," he said.
BY ADRIAN RUTHERFORD
THERE were fresh calls today for a full cross-border public inquiry into the Omagh bombing as relatives of those who died gathered for a service of remembrance.
Over 10 years have passed since a Real IRA car bomb exploded in the town but no one has been convicted in connection with the atrocity, which claimed the lives of 29 people and two unborn twins.
On Friday Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said he supported calls for a cross-border inquiry.
Yesterday's service was organised by Omagh Support and Self Help Group. Several of its members, including chairman Michael Gallagher and vice-chairman Kevin Skelton, had boycotted the official event on Friday.
They were unhappy with the council's choice of wording on memorials at the bomb site and at the Garden of Remembrance.
"Many people have asked why we have had two memorial services, but the question should be why should we not have two memorial services?" Mr Gallagher told those who gathered at the memorial garden on Drumragh Avenue.
Several hundred people attended the 30-minute service during which Mr Gallagher, whose son Aiden was among the victims, repeated his calls for a full probe.
"We have not received justice in Omagh. Sadly, it is not wreaths that we need, it is justice and truth."
Representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish governments attended the service.
Omagh District Council was also represented by vice-chairman Josephine Deehan.
Mr Gallagher opened the service which included short verses from Amy Reid, a cousin of Aiden, and Claire Radford, whose brother Alan was among the victims.
Then, for the second time is as many days, the town fell silent as the names of the dead were read out before families placed floral tributes around the memorial wall.
Former Lebanon hostage Terry Waite, who spoke at Friday's service, was not able to attend but sent a message of support.
He said: "If I were with you today I would ask you to do one thing, and that is to look to the future.
"A new generation has grown up in Omagh and it is to them that we should look. Static memorials have their place but living memorials also have tremendous value."
In his closing address, Mr Gallagher praised the support of the media for keeping Omagh in the spotlight over the last decade.
"They are the people who have not deserted us and who have consistently supported us during the last 10 years," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: BELFAST TELEGRAPH
Ref: BT10An/40
Published Date: 18-Aug-08
Related Images
