TEARS AND ANGER ON NIGHT OF GRIEVING
Tears and anger on night of grieving
By Nevin Farrell
SANDRA JONES broke down and sobbed last night after addressing thousands of people who flocked to a candlelit vigil in Omagh close to the bomb site.
The 48 year old - a member of a cross-community development group which organised a mass show of public mourning the victims of Saturday's massacre - couldn't contain her grief.
Her tears and the quick comfort from a fellow group member summed up the sombre mood in the crisis- hit Tyrone town.
People of all ages and religious backgrounds listened quietly as the names of the dead were read. All bowed their heads for a minute's silence.
But there was also anger - anger at the so-called Real IRA's claim that they had treated Omagh as a commercial target and hadn't meant to cause death.
Fr Donal Gillespie, a native of Omagh, and Fr Donal Bennett, a member of the Columban Fathers, who was home from a Philippines mission, said the excuse deserved to be treated with contempt.
And Joan Kernan was seething. "It was a carnival day, there were floats in the town. I believe they couldn't get up the street, panicked and abandoned their car. It was indiscriminate, they cared for nobody as long as they got away.
"I was down the town and had to look for my family. They were all right but I will never forget the scenes I witnessed after looking under sheets over bodies in a search for my children. I feel selfish that I still have my family."
Sandra Jones said the vigil gave people a chance to vent their feelings, "Everybody is stunned, the grief is indescribable."
Omagh country singer Dominic Kirwan, his eyes ringed with tears, led the crowd in singing 'The Lord Is My Shepherd'.
He said the dead would never be forgotten. "But the people are strong and I just hope this is the last and the people will not have died in
vain.
Two bunches of flowers - on behalf of both sides of the community - were laid as a tribute to those killed.
Meanwhile, two free buses leave Omagh this morning at 8.30am for anyone wishing to attend funerals in Buncrana.
Donegal people too came to Omagh last night. Alphonsus Surpless (65) from Letterkenny wanted to show solidarity with the townspeople and handed out symbolic crowns of thorns.
After the vigil, many people stayed in the town centre to watch the security forces continue their painstaking task of sifting through the rubble at the bomb scene. Their appreciation of the work was summed up by a spontaneous round of applause for the forensic teams.
As night fell row upon row of burning candles, placed close to the bomb scene, flickered in the still evening - a touching silent tribute to the dead.
By Nevin Farrell
SANDRA JONES broke down and sobbed last night after addressing thousands of people who flocked to a candlelit vigil in Omagh close to the bomb site.
The 48 year old - a member of a cross-community development group which organised a mass show of public mourning the victims of Saturday's massacre - couldn't contain her grief.
Her tears and the quick comfort from a fellow group member summed up the sombre mood in the crisis- hit Tyrone town.
People of all ages and religious backgrounds listened quietly as the names of the dead were read. All bowed their heads for a minute's silence.
But there was also anger - anger at the so-called Real IRA's claim that they had treated Omagh as a commercial target and hadn't meant to cause death.
Fr Donal Gillespie, a native of Omagh, and Fr Donal Bennett, a member of the Columban Fathers, who was home from a Philippines mission, said the excuse deserved to be treated with contempt.
And Joan Kernan was seething. "It was a carnival day, there were floats in the town. I believe they couldn't get up the street, panicked and abandoned their car. It was indiscriminate, they cared for nobody as long as they got away.
"I was down the town and had to look for my family. They were all right but I will never forget the scenes I witnessed after looking under sheets over bodies in a search for my children. I feel selfish that I still have my family."
Sandra Jones said the vigil gave people a chance to vent their feelings, "Everybody is stunned, the grief is indescribable."
Omagh country singer Dominic Kirwan, his eyes ringed with tears, led the crowd in singing 'The Lord Is My Shepherd'.
He said the dead would never be forgotten. "But the people are strong and I just hope this is the last and the people will not have died in
vain.
Two bunches of flowers - on behalf of both sides of the community - were laid as a tribute to those killed.
Meanwhile, two free buses leave Omagh this morning at 8.30am for anyone wishing to attend funerals in Buncrana.
Donegal people too came to Omagh last night. Alphonsus Surpless (65) from Letterkenny wanted to show solidarity with the townspeople and handed out symbolic crowns of thorns.
After the vigil, many people stayed in the town centre to watch the security forces continue their painstaking task of sifting through the rubble at the bomb scene. Their appreciation of the work was summed up by a spontaneous round of applause for the forensic teams.
As night fell row upon row of burning candles, placed close to the bomb scene, flickered in the still evening - a touching silent tribute to the dead.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0062
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
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