BUNCRANA FUNERALS UNDERLINE MOOD OF COUNTRY
Buncrana funerals underline the mood of the country
NOTHING will exonerate those guilty of last Saturday's Omagh bombing from the great sin they have committed against humanity,
a grieving congregation in County Donegal was told yesterday. Thousands of mourners packed the Buncrana church and surrounding churchyard and roads to bid an emotive farewell to the three local schoolboys killed in Omagh last Saturday, along with two Spanish nationals who were among their group. Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty warned those behind the bombing: "Unless you repent, no ideological or political consideration will even begin to exonerate you from the great sin against God, against humanity and against this community, for which you now stand guilty." And to Mr Trimble and the members of the Assembly, Dr Hegarty said the people were relying on them to continue to build on the gains which have been made and endorsed so overwhelmingly.
"We know it is not easy. We want to assure you that you are here among friends, among people who are looking to you and your colleagues to give us the type of climate in Northern Ireland which will be conducive to the building of a genuine and lasting, just peace. It is the only alternative and we do not want ever again to have repeat of last Saturday, We wish you well in your endeavours,"
he said, prompting a spontaneous sustained applause from the congregation.
Among the dignitaries present were President Mary McAleese, North First and Deputy Ministers David Trimble and Seamus Mallon, Assembly members, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness, Government representatives Mary O'Rouke and Dr James McDaid
and opposition representative, Nora Owen. Also present were British Ambassador Veronica Sutherland and Spanish Ambassador Jose Maria Sanz Pastor.
There were heartbreaking scenes as the families bore the coffins to three graves lined side by side in Cockhill cemetery.
NOTHING will exonerate those guilty of last Saturday's Omagh bombing from the great sin they have committed against humanity,
a grieving congregation in County Donegal was told yesterday. Thousands of mourners packed the Buncrana church and surrounding churchyard and roads to bid an emotive farewell to the three local schoolboys killed in Omagh last Saturday, along with two Spanish nationals who were among their group. Bishop of Derry Dr Seamus Hegarty warned those behind the bombing: "Unless you repent, no ideological or political consideration will even begin to exonerate you from the great sin against God, against humanity and against this community, for which you now stand guilty." And to Mr Trimble and the members of the Assembly, Dr Hegarty said the people were relying on them to continue to build on the gains which have been made and endorsed so overwhelmingly.
"We know it is not easy. We want to assure you that you are here among friends, among people who are looking to you and your colleagues to give us the type of climate in Northern Ireland which will be conducive to the building of a genuine and lasting, just peace. It is the only alternative and we do not want ever again to have repeat of last Saturday, We wish you well in your endeavours,"
he said, prompting a spontaneous sustained applause from the congregation.
Among the dignitaries present were President Mary McAleese, North First and Deputy Ministers David Trimble and Seamus Mallon, Assembly members, Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness, Government representatives Mary O'Rouke and Dr James McDaid
and opposition representative, Nora Owen. Also present were British Ambassador Veronica Sutherland and Spanish Ambassador Jose Maria Sanz Pastor.
There were heartbreaking scenes as the families bore the coffins to three graves lined side by side in Cockhill cemetery.
Further Information
Publisher: IRISH INDEPENDENT
Ref: II/064
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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