COUNCILLORS CONDEMN OMAGH ATROCITY AT SPECIAL MEETING
Councillors condemn Omagh atrocity at special meeting
By Harry Walsh
AT the special meeting of Donegal County Council on Tuesday in Lifford the following motion was passed.
"Donegal County Council wish to express their sympathy to all the families of the bereaved and injured as a result of the Omagh bombing. We full understand the deep hurt felt by our neighbouring community in Omagh, by our people in Buncrana and their Spanish friends and the sense of bewilderment that this should happen at this time. The Council condemns the incident and those who carried it out and we call on them to respect the democratic-mandate carried out by the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland".
MEMBERS of Donegal County Council voiced their horror at the bombing at a special meeting of the local authority in Lifford on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting, which was called by the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Danny Harkin, was led in prayer by Fr Columba Nee and the Rev Stephen Whyte.
Cllr Harkin told members that letters of condolences had already been sent to Buncrana Urban District Council, Omagh District Council and the Spanish Ambassador.
Cllr Bernard McGlinchey, condemning the atrocities, called on the good people of Ireland to pass on any information which may lead to the apprehension and conviction of the perpetrators.
"History shows that we have never looked kindly on informers but anyone who knows anything about the psychopaths who caused this foul deed should pass on their information to the relevant authorities. Also, an appeal should be made to anyone who knows where arms or semtex is hidden to again pass on the information,"Cllr McGlinchey said.
The Fianna Fail representative said that most members of the Council had friends and relatives living in the Omagh area and he had no doubt that, in time, some form of memento would be put in place in Donegal in memory of the three Buncrana schoolboys who lost their lives in the bomb.
"Donegal County Council should make a generous contribution to such a project when that happens," Cllr McGlinchey said.
Cllr J.J. Reid said that there was no room in Irish society for the Omagh bombers.
"Words aren't much good to anyone at this point in time," Cllr Reid said.
Cllr Ann O'Donnell said that she was ashamed to have to say that fellow Irishmen had carried out the atrocity in Omagh.
"It takes a long, long time to get over a tragedy and each and every person with a heart has to feel for these people at this moment in time," Cllr O'Donnell said.
Labour Councillor Sean Maloney said that the terrorists who planned and carried out the horrific bombing in Omagh should be brought to justice immediately.
"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. The Government must use all of the wide range of laws currently within its power to catch the killers as quickly as possible," Cllr Maloney said.
Sinn Fein Councillor Jim Ferry, who is also Chairman of Buncrana Urban District Council, said that he totally condemned the attack and he called on those who planted the bomb to admit responsibility.
"If it was an attempt to derail the Peace Process I can tell them now that they have failed. The Peace Process is here to stay and it is now up to the politicians to come together to make it work," Cllr Ferry said.
"The people of Buncrana have taken these Spanish students into the town for the past number of years which makes it all the more tragic. This is the worst tragedy to befall Buncrana since the start of the troubles. Everyone is in shock," Cllr Ferry said.
Cllr Seamus Gill, a native of Buncrana, said that such atrocities had resulted in people calling for the return of capital punishment.
"Hopefully those responsible for this atrocity will be brought to justice. Unfortunately however, in a few years time they will probably be released from jail free to continue their normal lives. For crimes of this magnitude it's imperative that the sentence is served in full.
"I wonder at times like this is a prison sentence enough. I, for one, wouldn't like to see anyone executed, but after seeing these boys in their coffins, I begin to wonder. I hope they are brought to book and I hope that they won't be free to walk about after what they have done," Cllr Gill said.
Independent Donegal County Councillor, Fred Coll, described the killings as an attack on all the people of Ireland and he asked for the recall of both the Dail and Sennad Eireann.
"We want a strong statement put out on behalf of the people of Ireland, we do not want a litany of individual responses," Cllr Coll said.
Cllr Francis Brennan has a sister, Mary, living in the Co Tyrone town. She was not at her home in Omagh on Saturday afternoon but she knew many of those who died.
"In an atrocity like this it is the ordinary people of Ireland who have been so horrifically torn apart," Cllr Brennan said.
Cllr Peter Kennedy urged those in power to do everything possible in an effort to ensure that those people who died in Omagh didn't do so in
vain.
Cllr Maureen Doohan said that it was right that the Council Chairman call a special meeting to allow the members to express their utter revulsion at the events in Omagh last weekend.
These people have been called animals, but the term isn't fair to animals who have feelings. They have a twisted agenda and twisted minds," Cllr Doohan said.
Cllr Charlie Bennet said that it was one of the saddest weeks ever in the history of the State
"This was not a bomb against Catholic or Protestant, Nationalist or Unionist but against the Irish people." Cllr Brennan said.
Cllr Bernard McGuinness said that there must be some hope for the future and he remained hopeful that the Omagh bombing would be the last such atrocity within the island of Ireland.
"We have to change the minds of the bigots and support those who are trying to change that. If further legislation is required then the Government must bring it in forthwith," Cllr McGuinness said.
Democratic Left Councillor, Seamus Rodgers, said that no cause could be served or advanced by the slaughter and maiming of innocent people going about their legitimate business in a busy town centre.
"It is absolutely vital that all those who are committed to the Good Friday Agreement hold their nerve and refuse to be drawn into the sort of response that the bombers clearly hoped to provoke. People of good will in both jurisdictions must work to put the organisation involved out of business and apply the due process of law to bring the perpetrators to justice," Cllr Rodgers said.
Cllr Jim Devenney said that, like many of his colleagues, he could not find words to adequately express his feelings.
"What tempts a person to contemplate such an atrocity? We received a crystal sign on Good Friday that we are no longer going to go down that road. We have a duty and responsibility to take Ireland into the new millennium," Cllr Devenney said.
Cllr Joachim Loughrey said that he was reminded of something that a friend had said to him many years beforehand.
"It only takes a good man to remain silent for a bad man to prevail and for far too many years now there have been too many good people. An outrage is an outrage. If it's wrong it's wrong," Cllr Loughrey said.
The County Manager, Mr Michael McLoone, in his comments referred to the close links which have been formed between the elected members and the Executive of Donegal County Council with Councils across the border, including Omagh District Council. These links were a natural extension of the close links which have always existed between the people of Donegal and their neighbours in the border counties.
"As we listened to the horrific details of the deaths and injuries we could only weep with them and mourn for them. We cannot restore the lives they have lost. We cannot return torn and lost limbs. We can only share in their suffering," Mr McLoone said.
A book of condolences was opened by the new chairman of the Council. Cllr Danny Harkin, prior to the meeting following a short ecumenical service conducted by Fr Nee and Rev White.
Books have also been opened at Council Offices in Buncrana, Letterkenny, Bundoran, Glenties and Dungloe.
By Harry Walsh
AT the special meeting of Donegal County Council on Tuesday in Lifford the following motion was passed.
"Donegal County Council wish to express their sympathy to all the families of the bereaved and injured as a result of the Omagh bombing. We full understand the deep hurt felt by our neighbouring community in Omagh, by our people in Buncrana and their Spanish friends and the sense of bewilderment that this should happen at this time. The Council condemns the incident and those who carried it out and we call on them to respect the democratic-mandate carried out by the overwhelming majority of people in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland".
MEMBERS of Donegal County Council voiced their horror at the bombing at a special meeting of the local authority in Lifford on Tuesday afternoon. The meeting, which was called by the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Danny Harkin, was led in prayer by Fr Columba Nee and the Rev Stephen Whyte.
Cllr Harkin told members that letters of condolences had already been sent to Buncrana Urban District Council, Omagh District Council and the Spanish Ambassador.
Cllr Bernard McGlinchey, condemning the atrocities, called on the good people of Ireland to pass on any information which may lead to the apprehension and conviction of the perpetrators.
"History shows that we have never looked kindly on informers but anyone who knows anything about the psychopaths who caused this foul deed should pass on their information to the relevant authorities. Also, an appeal should be made to anyone who knows where arms or semtex is hidden to again pass on the information,"Cllr McGlinchey said.
The Fianna Fail representative said that most members of the Council had friends and relatives living in the Omagh area and he had no doubt that, in time, some form of memento would be put in place in Donegal in memory of the three Buncrana schoolboys who lost their lives in the bomb.
"Donegal County Council should make a generous contribution to such a project when that happens," Cllr McGlinchey said.
Cllr J.J. Reid said that there was no room in Irish society for the Omagh bombers.
"Words aren't much good to anyone at this point in time," Cllr Reid said.
Cllr Ann O'Donnell said that she was ashamed to have to say that fellow Irishmen had carried out the atrocity in Omagh.
"It takes a long, long time to get over a tragedy and each and every person with a heart has to feel for these people at this moment in time," Cllr O'Donnell said.
Labour Councillor Sean Maloney said that the terrorists who planned and carried out the horrific bombing in Omagh should be brought to justice immediately.
"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. The Government must use all of the wide range of laws currently within its power to catch the killers as quickly as possible," Cllr Maloney said.
Sinn Fein Councillor Jim Ferry, who is also Chairman of Buncrana Urban District Council, said that he totally condemned the attack and he called on those who planted the bomb to admit responsibility.
"If it was an attempt to derail the Peace Process I can tell them now that they have failed. The Peace Process is here to stay and it is now up to the politicians to come together to make it work," Cllr Ferry said.
"The people of Buncrana have taken these Spanish students into the town for the past number of years which makes it all the more tragic. This is the worst tragedy to befall Buncrana since the start of the troubles. Everyone is in shock," Cllr Ferry said.
Cllr Seamus Gill, a native of Buncrana, said that such atrocities had resulted in people calling for the return of capital punishment.
"Hopefully those responsible for this atrocity will be brought to justice. Unfortunately however, in a few years time they will probably be released from jail free to continue their normal lives. For crimes of this magnitude it's imperative that the sentence is served in full.
"I wonder at times like this is a prison sentence enough. I, for one, wouldn't like to see anyone executed, but after seeing these boys in their coffins, I begin to wonder. I hope they are brought to book and I hope that they won't be free to walk about after what they have done," Cllr Gill said.
Independent Donegal County Councillor, Fred Coll, described the killings as an attack on all the people of Ireland and he asked for the recall of both the Dail and Sennad Eireann.
"We want a strong statement put out on behalf of the people of Ireland, we do not want a litany of individual responses," Cllr Coll said.
Cllr Francis Brennan has a sister, Mary, living in the Co Tyrone town. She was not at her home in Omagh on Saturday afternoon but she knew many of those who died.
"In an atrocity like this it is the ordinary people of Ireland who have been so horrifically torn apart," Cllr Brennan said.
Cllr Peter Kennedy urged those in power to do everything possible in an effort to ensure that those people who died in Omagh didn't do so in
vain.
Cllr Maureen Doohan said that it was right that the Council Chairman call a special meeting to allow the members to express their utter revulsion at the events in Omagh last weekend.
These people have been called animals, but the term isn't fair to animals who have feelings. They have a twisted agenda and twisted minds," Cllr Doohan said.
Cllr Charlie Bennet said that it was one of the saddest weeks ever in the history of the State
"This was not a bomb against Catholic or Protestant, Nationalist or Unionist but against the Irish people." Cllr Brennan said.
Cllr Bernard McGuinness said that there must be some hope for the future and he remained hopeful that the Omagh bombing would be the last such atrocity within the island of Ireland.
"We have to change the minds of the bigots and support those who are trying to change that. If further legislation is required then the Government must bring it in forthwith," Cllr McGuinness said.
Democratic Left Councillor, Seamus Rodgers, said that no cause could be served or advanced by the slaughter and maiming of innocent people going about their legitimate business in a busy town centre.
"It is absolutely vital that all those who are committed to the Good Friday Agreement hold their nerve and refuse to be drawn into the sort of response that the bombers clearly hoped to provoke. People of good will in both jurisdictions must work to put the organisation involved out of business and apply the due process of law to bring the perpetrators to justice," Cllr Rodgers said.
Cllr Jim Devenney said that, like many of his colleagues, he could not find words to adequately express his feelings.
"What tempts a person to contemplate such an atrocity? We received a crystal sign on Good Friday that we are no longer going to go down that road. We have a duty and responsibility to take Ireland into the new millennium," Cllr Devenney said.
Cllr Joachim Loughrey said that he was reminded of something that a friend had said to him many years beforehand.
"It only takes a good man to remain silent for a bad man to prevail and for far too many years now there have been too many good people. An outrage is an outrage. If it's wrong it's wrong," Cllr Loughrey said.
The County Manager, Mr Michael McLoone, in his comments referred to the close links which have been formed between the elected members and the Executive of Donegal County Council with Councils across the border, including Omagh District Council. These links were a natural extension of the close links which have always existed between the people of Donegal and their neighbours in the border counties.
"As we listened to the horrific details of the deaths and injuries we could only weep with them and mourn for them. We cannot restore the lives they have lost. We cannot return torn and lost limbs. We can only share in their suffering," Mr McLoone said.
A book of condolences was opened by the new chairman of the Council. Cllr Danny Harkin, prior to the meeting following a short ecumenical service conducted by Fr Nee and Rev White.
Books have also been opened at Council Offices in Buncrana, Letterkenny, Bundoran, Glenties and Dungloe.
Further Information
Publisher: DERRY PEOPLE DONEGAL NEWS
Ref: DPDN/022
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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