THREE GENERATION SLAIN
Three generations slain
By Ruth O'Reilly PA News and Valerie Robinson
A WOMAN heavily pregnant with twins, her mother and her 18-month-old baby were among the dead in the Omagh bomb outrage, it emerged last night.
Avril Monaghan (30), her daughter Maura and mother Mary Grimes (65) were on a shopping trip to Omagh when the bomb exploded.
Mrs Monaghan, from the townland of Aughadarna, between Clogher and Augher, is survived by her husband Michael, two daughters and a son. Her eldest child is just six years old.
Mrs Grimes, a mother of 12, was from Beragh where her husband Mick is a farmer.
The Grimes family were too distressed to speak publicly of their loss and neighbours were reluctant to comment, but they were described the family as "solid" citizens.
Fr Arthur McAnerney, who accompanied Archbishop Sean Brady on a 30-minute visit to the Grimes' home yesterday described the family's courage in the face of their loss.
"They are very good people, they're very courageous people. There were no histrionics," he said.
Fr McAnerney added that the close-knit community who had "never witnessed anything like this before" was "very much behind them".
"The family remarked that neighbours had been in clearing up the place. They were all Catholic but they said their Protestant neighbours would do the same just as quickly."
He described the atmosphere in Beragh yesterday as "quiet".
"What has happened is unbelievable."
Mr and Mrs Grimes attended Mass every day and Mr Grimes actively contributed to community projects, they said.
Michael Monaghan was also too distraught to speak publicly.
His parish priest, Father Lawrence Dawson, said the community was stunned but he hoped that with the help of friends and neighbours the family would be able to come through the tragedy.
The Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Sean Brady, visited the Grimes family late yesterday afternoon.
Mr Grimes's brother, James, was a priest in Whitecross, his arch diocese.
Dr Brady said: "The family are just totally devastated. They are just so shocked".
People in Beragh last night spoke of Mary and Mick Grimes as a couple who were devoted to each other, to their family and supportive of their community.
"They're very good people," said one man who did not want to be named.
"Very religious, very private.
"Mick's a great man for the family.
Mary Grimes was quiet and hospitable, neighbours said.
"She was your typical farmer's wife," said another villager.
"She worked very hard and was always very nice.
"She would give you a cup of tea and something to eat whenever you'd call round.
"You would never have heard a word of complaint or argument from her, a very gentle person.
"It's a big loss, but he has great faith and maybe that will see him through this."
It later emerged that the tiny village of Beragh had lost another member of the community to the Omagh bomb - a young Sunday school teacher for Reverend Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church.
She had recently become engaged.
The Democratic Unionist leader last night disclosed that he knew Esther Gibson and said she was related to Oliver Gibson, a DUP assembly member for West Tyrone.
"She was a very dedicated Christian and a fine children's worker," he said.
"She was very well-liked by all the congregation.
"She was a very fine girl with a good future. This is terrible for the children and the congregation."
Miss Gibson, who was in her 30s and worked in a local clothing factory, had recently become engaged and was to marry next July, her own minister confirmed.
She was also to have been bridesmaid at her sister's wedding in just five weeks' time, said the Reverend William Leonard.
"She was on her holidays and was to go back to work on Monday and she just went to Omagh to do some shopping," he said.
Miss Gibson, like the Grimes family nearby, came from a large, private family.
A brother was flying home from America tonight and another was returning from holiday in Scotland.
"This is just dreadful for her family. Their world has just fallen down around them," said Mr Leonard.
By Ruth O'Reilly PA News and Valerie Robinson
A WOMAN heavily pregnant with twins, her mother and her 18-month-old baby were among the dead in the Omagh bomb outrage, it emerged last night.
Avril Monaghan (30), her daughter Maura and mother Mary Grimes (65) were on a shopping trip to Omagh when the bomb exploded.
Mrs Monaghan, from the townland of Aughadarna, between Clogher and Augher, is survived by her husband Michael, two daughters and a son. Her eldest child is just six years old.
Mrs Grimes, a mother of 12, was from Beragh where her husband Mick is a farmer.
The Grimes family were too distressed to speak publicly of their loss and neighbours were reluctant to comment, but they were described the family as "solid" citizens.
Fr Arthur McAnerney, who accompanied Archbishop Sean Brady on a 30-minute visit to the Grimes' home yesterday described the family's courage in the face of their loss.
"They are very good people, they're very courageous people. There were no histrionics," he said.
Fr McAnerney added that the close-knit community who had "never witnessed anything like this before" was "very much behind them".
"The family remarked that neighbours had been in clearing up the place. They were all Catholic but they said their Protestant neighbours would do the same just as quickly."
He described the atmosphere in Beragh yesterday as "quiet".
"What has happened is unbelievable."
Mr and Mrs Grimes attended Mass every day and Mr Grimes actively contributed to community projects, they said.
Michael Monaghan was also too distraught to speak publicly.
His parish priest, Father Lawrence Dawson, said the community was stunned but he hoped that with the help of friends and neighbours the family would be able to come through the tragedy.
The Catholic Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Sean Brady, visited the Grimes family late yesterday afternoon.
Mr Grimes's brother, James, was a priest in Whitecross, his arch diocese.
Dr Brady said: "The family are just totally devastated. They are just so shocked".
People in Beragh last night spoke of Mary and Mick Grimes as a couple who were devoted to each other, to their family and supportive of their community.
"They're very good people," said one man who did not want to be named.
"Very religious, very private.
"Mick's a great man for the family.
Mary Grimes was quiet and hospitable, neighbours said.
"She was your typical farmer's wife," said another villager.
"She worked very hard and was always very nice.
"She would give you a cup of tea and something to eat whenever you'd call round.
"You would never have heard a word of complaint or argument from her, a very gentle person.
"It's a big loss, but he has great faith and maybe that will see him through this."
It later emerged that the tiny village of Beragh had lost another member of the community to the Omagh bomb - a young Sunday school teacher for Reverend Ian Paisley's Free Presbyterian Church.
She had recently become engaged.
The Democratic Unionist leader last night disclosed that he knew Esther Gibson and said she was related to Oliver Gibson, a DUP assembly member for West Tyrone.
"She was a very dedicated Christian and a fine children's worker," he said.
"She was very well-liked by all the congregation.
"She was a very fine girl with a good future. This is terrible for the children and the congregation."
Miss Gibson, who was in her 30s and worked in a local clothing factory, had recently become engaged and was to marry next July, her own minister confirmed.
She was also to have been bridesmaid at her sister's wedding in just five weeks' time, said the Reverend William Leonard.
"She was on her holidays and was to go back to work on Monday and she just went to Omagh to do some shopping," he said.
Miss Gibson, like the Grimes family nearby, came from a large, private family.
A brother was flying home from America tonight and another was returning from holiday in Scotland.
"This is just dreadful for her family. Their world has just fallen down around them," said Mr Leonard.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0044
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
Related Images
