DONEGAL OFFERS ITS SYMPATHY TO THE DEAD
Donegal offers its sympathy to the dead
By; Diarmaid Doherty
BOOKS OF condolences have been opened across Donegal to give local people the chance to offer their sympathy to the victims of those involved in the Omagh atrocity.
The books have been opened this week at the Council offices in Lifford, Buncrana, Bundoran, Glenties and Dungloe.
Meanwhile in Letterkenny, the Chairman of the Urban District Council, Colr. P.J. Blake opened a Book of Condolence at the County Library yesterday.
"It just gives the people of Letterkenny the opportunity to show their sympathy and offer their support for the families of the bereaved in Buncrana and Co. Tyrone", Colr. Blake said.
The UDC chairman was joined in signing the book by fellow councillors, James Larkin, Jean Crossan, Sean Maloney, Victor Fisher and Jim Lynch along with Town Clerk, Peter Coyle, Fr. Cunningham and Rev. Wright.
Mr. Pat Byrne, of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, Jim McCormack of the local Tidy Towns Committee and May McCIintock of An Taisce were also present.
Letterkenny had been celebrating its annual Festival when the Omagh bombing was carried out on Saturday afternoon.
A minute's silence was observed during the Saturday evening outdoor festival concert in the town and the local discos also observed a minutes silence later on Saturday night.
On Sunday, the organisers of the Festival took the decision to cancel the final day's festival events. According to Festival Director, Gary Cooney, there was very little enthusiasm around the town after what had happened in Co. Tyrone.
"People in Letterkenny were stunned over the tragedy and we took the decision to cancel the Carnival Parade on Sunday afternoon and the events later in the evening", he said.
Richard Hurst of the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh had been due to give a demonstration on various historic crafts and skills. This was also cancelled.
At various sporting events around the county on Sunday, a minutes silence was also observed before the games.
St. Eunan's team manager, Michael Housten spoke of the feeling among the players on his team as they prepared for their Donegal Senior Football Quarter Final against Killybegs on Sunday.
"I think most of the players actually thought our game would be cancelled. It's hard to focus your mind on a game of football when such an atrocity is carried out literally on our doorsteps", he said.
"The fact that there were men, women and children killed in the bombing, had an horrific effect on everyone. Even the atmosphere at Sunday's game was somewhat subdued. It was as if people's thoughts were elsewhere".
Meanwhile tonight's League Cup tie between Finn Harps and Derry City has been called off while doubts surround the Fanad United and Sligo Rovers game.
By; Diarmaid Doherty
BOOKS OF condolences have been opened across Donegal to give local people the chance to offer their sympathy to the victims of those involved in the Omagh atrocity.
The books have been opened this week at the Council offices in Lifford, Buncrana, Bundoran, Glenties and Dungloe.
Meanwhile in Letterkenny, the Chairman of the Urban District Council, Colr. P.J. Blake opened a Book of Condolence at the County Library yesterday.
"It just gives the people of Letterkenny the opportunity to show their sympathy and offer their support for the families of the bereaved in Buncrana and Co. Tyrone", Colr. Blake said.
The UDC chairman was joined in signing the book by fellow councillors, James Larkin, Jean Crossan, Sean Maloney, Victor Fisher and Jim Lynch along with Town Clerk, Peter Coyle, Fr. Cunningham and Rev. Wright.
Mr. Pat Byrne, of Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce, Jim McCormack of the local Tidy Towns Committee and May McCIintock of An Taisce were also present.
Letterkenny had been celebrating its annual Festival when the Omagh bombing was carried out on Saturday afternoon.
A minute's silence was observed during the Saturday evening outdoor festival concert in the town and the local discos also observed a minutes silence later on Saturday night.
On Sunday, the organisers of the Festival took the decision to cancel the final day's festival events. According to Festival Director, Gary Cooney, there was very little enthusiasm around the town after what had happened in Co. Tyrone.
"People in Letterkenny were stunned over the tragedy and we took the decision to cancel the Carnival Parade on Sunday afternoon and the events later in the evening", he said.
Richard Hurst of the Ulster American Folk Park outside Omagh had been due to give a demonstration on various historic crafts and skills. This was also cancelled.
At various sporting events around the county on Sunday, a minutes silence was also observed before the games.
St. Eunan's team manager, Michael Housten spoke of the feeling among the players on his team as they prepared for their Donegal Senior Football Quarter Final against Killybegs on Sunday.
"I think most of the players actually thought our game would be cancelled. It's hard to focus your mind on a game of football when such an atrocity is carried out literally on our doorsteps", he said.
"The fact that there were men, women and children killed in the bombing, had an horrific effect on everyone. Even the atmosphere at Sunday's game was somewhat subdued. It was as if people's thoughts were elsewhere".
Meanwhile tonight's League Cup tie between Finn Harps and Derry City has been called off while doubts surround the Fanad United and Sligo Rovers game.
Further Information
Publisher: DONEGAL PEOPLE'S PRESS
Ref: DP/004
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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