POLITICIANS UNITE TO CONDEMN ATROCITY
Politicians unite to condemn atrocity
By Nevin Farrell
FIRST Minister David Trimble said yesterday a day of mourning should be held in Northern Ireland as a mark of respect for the Omagh dead.
He said the four main churches could be involved in a tribute providing a focus for anger and grief but also cultivating hope.
"The people of Northern Ireland can unite round this to express not just their grief but also the determination that this atrocity will not deflect from the way forward," said Mr Trimble.
He wondered if the massacre would have happened if the republican leadership had said months ago the 'war is over'.
Mr Trimble said there was a suspicion that dissidents were getting equipment from mainstream republicans and also "a suspicion that there are elements in the leadership that also engage in nods and winks. We have got to have clarity and honesty that this sort of violence is a thing of the past."
He said he would return to the assembly next month determined to make the peace process work.
"We are committed to try and bring about peace and we have made a considerable effort. We had said all along that there would be problems but there will be no lack of commitment."
Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon said anyone with the "slightest scrap" of information should pass it to the security forces.
"These people have nothing to offer society but death, destruction and suffering. They represent no-one but themselves. Their actions are totally against the wishes of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland and of their political representatives who have tried so hard to find a peaceful way forward.
"We must not and we will not allow them to deny the people of Northern Ireland the future they voted for overwhelmingly," he added.
Reaction to the bomb flooded in from prominent international figures, politicians and organisations in Northern Ireland.
Senator George Mitchell described the bombers as being a small band of "cowards and murderers" trying to bring down the peace process.
President Clinton said he would stand alongside the people of Northern Ireland in the fight against terrorism, while the queen said she was shocked by the deaths and passed on her "heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved, injured and those others who have suffered."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was an "attack on democracy" and said they would "ruthlessly suppress" those organisations seeking to "defy the will of the Irish people".
RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan said the killers had nothing to offer but death and destruction.
Conservative leader William Hague said: "This is an act of unspeakable barbarity which was designed to murder and injure innocent people."
Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown stated: "It is vital for all those who have died, not just in this atrocity but over the last quarter century, that they don't succeed in plunging Ireland back into blood."
Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness called on dissident republicans, who have been blamed for the bombing, to stop.
He believed that nationalist and republican voters who had supported the peace process would put pressure on the bombers to stop.
DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley strongly attacked the government for failing to stop the terrorist outrage.
"I've heard the prime minister say we must save the peace process. I want to tell the prime minister we're not interested in saving any process - we're interested in saving people's lives."
Conservative Party shadow Northern Ireland spokesman Malcolm Moss said the massacre should halt the prisoner release scheme.
Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader John Taylor, speaking from the Middle-East, said many people knew the name of the individual behind the bomb and were asking why he is still at large.
Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said possible links between the Provisional IRA and the republican. dissidents who bombed Omagh would need to be looked at.
Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson urged governments north and south to continue the search for peace.
By Nevin Farrell
FIRST Minister David Trimble said yesterday a day of mourning should be held in Northern Ireland as a mark of respect for the Omagh dead.
He said the four main churches could be involved in a tribute providing a focus for anger and grief but also cultivating hope.
"The people of Northern Ireland can unite round this to express not just their grief but also the determination that this atrocity will not deflect from the way forward," said Mr Trimble.
He wondered if the massacre would have happened if the republican leadership had said months ago the 'war is over'.
Mr Trimble said there was a suspicion that dissidents were getting equipment from mainstream republicans and also "a suspicion that there are elements in the leadership that also engage in nods and winks. We have got to have clarity and honesty that this sort of violence is a thing of the past."
He said he would return to the assembly next month determined to make the peace process work.
"We are committed to try and bring about peace and we have made a considerable effort. We had said all along that there would be problems but there will be no lack of commitment."
Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon said anyone with the "slightest scrap" of information should pass it to the security forces.
"These people have nothing to offer society but death, destruction and suffering. They represent no-one but themselves. Their actions are totally against the wishes of the vast majority of the people of Northern Ireland and of their political representatives who have tried so hard to find a peaceful way forward.
"We must not and we will not allow them to deny the people of Northern Ireland the future they voted for overwhelmingly," he added.
Reaction to the bomb flooded in from prominent international figures, politicians and organisations in Northern Ireland.
Senator George Mitchell described the bombers as being a small band of "cowards and murderers" trying to bring down the peace process.
President Clinton said he would stand alongside the people of Northern Ireland in the fight against terrorism, while the queen said she was shocked by the deaths and passed on her "heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved, injured and those others who have suffered."
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said it was an "attack on democracy" and said they would "ruthlessly suppress" those organisations seeking to "defy the will of the Irish people".
RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan said the killers had nothing to offer but death and destruction.
Conservative leader William Hague said: "This is an act of unspeakable barbarity which was designed to murder and injure innocent people."
Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown stated: "It is vital for all those who have died, not just in this atrocity but over the last quarter century, that they don't succeed in plunging Ireland back into blood."
Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness called on dissident republicans, who have been blamed for the bombing, to stop.
He believed that nationalist and republican voters who had supported the peace process would put pressure on the bombers to stop.
DUP leader the Rev Ian Paisley strongly attacked the government for failing to stop the terrorist outrage.
"I've heard the prime minister say we must save the peace process. I want to tell the prime minister we're not interested in saving any process - we're interested in saving people's lives."
Conservative Party shadow Northern Ireland spokesman Malcolm Moss said the massacre should halt the prisoner release scheme.
Ulster Unionist Party deputy leader John Taylor, speaking from the Middle-East, said many people knew the name of the individual behind the bomb and were asking why he is still at large.
Ulster Unionist MP Jeffrey Donaldson said possible links between the Provisional IRA and the republican. dissidents who bombed Omagh would need to be looked at.
Alliance Party leader Sean Neeson urged governments north and south to continue the search for peace.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0027
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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