FUND FOR OMAGH BEREAVED ESTABLISHED IN BUNCRANA
Fund for the Omagh bereaved established in Buncrana
By Ciaran O'Donnell
As the North West attempted to get itself back to some sort of normality after the Omagh atrocity, it has been announced that a fund for bereaved families and those injured in the bomb blast has been established in Buncrana.
An account has been set up with the Bank of Ireland for those wishing to donate to the cause. Speaking about the project, fund organiser, Barney Griffin, said he was anticipating a generous response.
"People genuinely seem keen to help out in some way and the fund will give them that opportunity." he commented.
With Buncrana still coming to terms with losing three of its young sons, the mood in the Inishowen town was just slightly more upbeat
on Tuesday when it was learned that Ronan McGrory had been discharged from hospital. His schoolfriend. Emmet McLaughlin, also from Buncrana, is still being treated for injuries at an Enniskillen Hospital.
Many towns and villages all over Donegal came to a virtual standstill at 3.10pm. on Saturday afternoon -exactly one week after the Omagh bomb exploded - to observe the minute's silence held as a mark of respect to the 28 men, women and children who died. The biggest gathering of the many outdoor and indoor commemorative services took place in Buncrana, where the community came to remember Shaun McLaughlin (12), Oran Doherty (8) and James Baker (12), the three schoolboys who were buried side by side just three days earlier and Fernando Blasco, the young Spanish student who also lost his life in the blast. The families of the dead boys travelled to Omagh for the service of remembrance there.
GOLDEN HAIRED BOY
Speaking on UTV on Friday night, Sister Emmanuel from Buncranas Scoil Iosagain, recalled hearing about the deaths of the local boys.
"I was told that an eight year old boy called Oran was dead. I knew immediately who it was - bright, golden-haired boy who is a past pupil of mine. I recalled the happy times we spent together in class and Oran used to hide behind the door and jump out to frighten me as I entered the class room. He had a great sense of fun, loved listening to stories and was a passionate Celtic supporter".
By lunch time on Sunday, she had heard that Shaun McLaughlin was dead.
"He was also a pupil of our school. He was a charming boy of 12 years with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He was a faithful altar boy in our local church.
The third little boy was James Barker. His family came from England recently to live in Buncrana recently. He. too, was a beautiful green-eyed 12 year old and a child of great promise. He had resolved to work hard at his studies so that one day he would follow in his father's footsteps and become a lawyer." Stating that the community has suffered trauma of one kind or the other over the years, she added that nothing in living memory has ever come near the sheer magnitude of the Omagh calamity.
SENSE OF LOSS
"All of us have experienced the sense of loss at the death of a loved one. We only have an inkling of how these families are feeling at this time. We are engulfed in a sea of grief. The way ahead seems dark and deep, but we will proceed one step at a time and one day at a time knowing that God is on our side and that the prayers of people of good will around the world will sustain us."
By Ciaran O'Donnell
As the North West attempted to get itself back to some sort of normality after the Omagh atrocity, it has been announced that a fund for bereaved families and those injured in the bomb blast has been established in Buncrana.
An account has been set up with the Bank of Ireland for those wishing to donate to the cause. Speaking about the project, fund organiser, Barney Griffin, said he was anticipating a generous response.
"People genuinely seem keen to help out in some way and the fund will give them that opportunity." he commented.
With Buncrana still coming to terms with losing three of its young sons, the mood in the Inishowen town was just slightly more upbeat
on Tuesday when it was learned that Ronan McGrory had been discharged from hospital. His schoolfriend. Emmet McLaughlin, also from Buncrana, is still being treated for injuries at an Enniskillen Hospital.
Many towns and villages all over Donegal came to a virtual standstill at 3.10pm. on Saturday afternoon -exactly one week after the Omagh bomb exploded - to observe the minute's silence held as a mark of respect to the 28 men, women and children who died. The biggest gathering of the many outdoor and indoor commemorative services took place in Buncrana, where the community came to remember Shaun McLaughlin (12), Oran Doherty (8) and James Baker (12), the three schoolboys who were buried side by side just three days earlier and Fernando Blasco, the young Spanish student who also lost his life in the blast. The families of the dead boys travelled to Omagh for the service of remembrance there.
GOLDEN HAIRED BOY
Speaking on UTV on Friday night, Sister Emmanuel from Buncranas Scoil Iosagain, recalled hearing about the deaths of the local boys.
"I was told that an eight year old boy called Oran was dead. I knew immediately who it was - bright, golden-haired boy who is a past pupil of mine. I recalled the happy times we spent together in class and Oran used to hide behind the door and jump out to frighten me as I entered the class room. He had a great sense of fun, loved listening to stories and was a passionate Celtic supporter".
By lunch time on Sunday, she had heard that Shaun McLaughlin was dead.
"He was also a pupil of our school. He was a charming boy of 12 years with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He was a faithful altar boy in our local church.
The third little boy was James Barker. His family came from England recently to live in Buncrana recently. He. too, was a beautiful green-eyed 12 year old and a child of great promise. He had resolved to work hard at his studies so that one day he would follow in his father's footsteps and become a lawyer." Stating that the community has suffered trauma of one kind or the other over the years, she added that nothing in living memory has ever come near the sheer magnitude of the Omagh calamity.
SENSE OF LOSS
"All of us have experienced the sense of loss at the death of a loved one. We only have an inkling of how these families are feeling at this time. We are engulfed in a sea of grief. The way ahead seems dark and deep, but we will proceed one step at a time and one day at a time knowing that God is on our side and that the prayers of people of good will around the world will sustain us."
Further Information
Publisher: DONEGAL DEMOCRAT
Ref: DOD/026
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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