STUNNED COUNCILLORS OFER SYMPATHY
Stunned councillors offer sympathy
THE MOST sombre meeting of Donegal County Council ever, yesterday heard condemnation of the evil people responsible for the Omagh bombing and sympathy offered to the families of those affected.
Stunned council members sat in silence as colleagues stood in turn to offer their sympathies and condemn those responsible.
Council Chairman Danny Harkin said it was with great shock and sadness that he had heard of the bomb on Saturday.
"We totally and utterly condemn this act and offer our deepest and most sincere sympathies to the families of all those who have lost loved ones."
Colr. J.J. Reid said words were 'a poor expression' but all they could offer at this time.
"I never thought I would ever have to attend a council meeting like this in my lifetime and I think we must send out a clear message to the people responsible for this that there is no place for them Councillor, Anne O'Donnell described those responsible as 'brutal, savage, animals."
"I am ashamed to say that a fellow Irish man or woman carried this attack out," she added.
Labour Party Councillor Sean Maloney called for the swift arrest of those who planned and carried out the horrific bombing.
"Through their evil and monstrous deed these killers have wiped out the lives of so many people and caused horrific injuries to so many others. These people must be caught without delay not to allow them carry out another vile deed against the people of Ireland," he said.
Colr. Fred Coll said he could not imagine what such a thing.
"All I hope is that this bomb will be the last," he said.
'Animals'
Fianna Fail Councillor Francis Brennan said the people responsible had been labelled 'animals,' but suggested that was not even the case.
"You can have some respect for animals, you can't feel anything for them," he said.
Colr. Peter Kennedy described the bombing as 'a terrible deed,' while Colr. Maureen Doohan said those who had carried out the bombing were 'twisted individuals with twisted minds.'
"The best tribute we can pay to the people who lost their lives is to make sure the Peace Process is carried through."
Colr. Charlie Bennett said the bomb was a crime against the Irish people, while Colr. Bernard McGuinness said the sight of the three Buncrana youngsters in their coffins would have touched the heart of anyone.
"This was a blatant act of terrorism and if it needs new legislation to bring to justice those responsible then we will have to fully support that," he said.
Colr. Seamus Rodgers maintained the 'lunatic fringe' responsible could not be selective in such an attack.
"The people who plan death and murder should be put out of business but we must be careful in our response because we do not want to make martyrs of those responsible for this atrocity."
Colr. Jim Devenney said he couldn't find words to express his revulsion.
"What tempts a person to carry out such an attack, for what reason, in whose name?" he asked
Suggesting everything possible should be done to bring the Peace Process forward, he said he shuddered to think that a new branch of terrorism could be allowed to grow up and bring another 30 years of violence.
Colr. Joachim Loughrey offered his sympathy and urged people who knew anything on terrorism to come forward and let the authorities know.
"it only takes good men or women to remain silent for ban men or women to prevail," he said.
County Manager Michael McLoone, who interrupted his holidays also expressed his horror at the bomb.
"Those of us who are privileged to work in the public service in Donegal will continue, under the leadership of the elected council and in partnership with our colleagues in Omagh and other District Councils across the border, the ongoing work of promoting the North West as a place of opportunity and of hope for those who live here and who visit here.
Grief
The unspeakable grief and suffering we have witnessed since ten past three last Saturday in Omagh will be an inspiration to us to consolidate and develop our efforts as the only real and lasting tribute to those whom we mourn today," he concluded.
THE MOST sombre meeting of Donegal County Council ever, yesterday heard condemnation of the evil people responsible for the Omagh bombing and sympathy offered to the families of those affected.
Stunned council members sat in silence as colleagues stood in turn to offer their sympathies and condemn those responsible.
Council Chairman Danny Harkin said it was with great shock and sadness that he had heard of the bomb on Saturday.
"We totally and utterly condemn this act and offer our deepest and most sincere sympathies to the families of all those who have lost loved ones."
Colr. J.J. Reid said words were 'a poor expression' but all they could offer at this time.
"I never thought I would ever have to attend a council meeting like this in my lifetime and I think we must send out a clear message to the people responsible for this that there is no place for them Councillor, Anne O'Donnell described those responsible as 'brutal, savage, animals."
"I am ashamed to say that a fellow Irish man or woman carried this attack out," she added.
Labour Party Councillor Sean Maloney called for the swift arrest of those who planned and carried out the horrific bombing.
"Through their evil and monstrous deed these killers have wiped out the lives of so many people and caused horrific injuries to so many others. These people must be caught without delay not to allow them carry out another vile deed against the people of Ireland," he said.
Colr. Fred Coll said he could not imagine what such a thing.
"All I hope is that this bomb will be the last," he said.
'Animals'
Fianna Fail Councillor Francis Brennan said the people responsible had been labelled 'animals,' but suggested that was not even the case.
"You can have some respect for animals, you can't feel anything for them," he said.
Colr. Peter Kennedy described the bombing as 'a terrible deed,' while Colr. Maureen Doohan said those who had carried out the bombing were 'twisted individuals with twisted minds.'
"The best tribute we can pay to the people who lost their lives is to make sure the Peace Process is carried through."
Colr. Charlie Bennett said the bomb was a crime against the Irish people, while Colr. Bernard McGuinness said the sight of the three Buncrana youngsters in their coffins would have touched the heart of anyone.
"This was a blatant act of terrorism and if it needs new legislation to bring to justice those responsible then we will have to fully support that," he said.
Colr. Seamus Rodgers maintained the 'lunatic fringe' responsible could not be selective in such an attack.
"The people who plan death and murder should be put out of business but we must be careful in our response because we do not want to make martyrs of those responsible for this atrocity."
Colr. Jim Devenney said he couldn't find words to express his revulsion.
"What tempts a person to carry out such an attack, for what reason, in whose name?" he asked
Suggesting everything possible should be done to bring the Peace Process forward, he said he shuddered to think that a new branch of terrorism could be allowed to grow up and bring another 30 years of violence.
Colr. Joachim Loughrey offered his sympathy and urged people who knew anything on terrorism to come forward and let the authorities know.
"it only takes good men or women to remain silent for ban men or women to prevail," he said.
County Manager Michael McLoone, who interrupted his holidays also expressed his horror at the bomb.
"Those of us who are privileged to work in the public service in Donegal will continue, under the leadership of the elected council and in partnership with our colleagues in Omagh and other District Councils across the border, the ongoing work of promoting the North West as a place of opportunity and of hope for those who live here and who visit here.
Grief
The unspeakable grief and suffering we have witnessed since ten past three last Saturday in Omagh will be an inspiration to us to consolidate and develop our efforts as the only real and lasting tribute to those whom we mourn today," he concluded.
Further Information
Publisher: DONEGAL PEOPLE'S PRESS
Ref: DP/018
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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