BOMB GIVES CHARLES REMINDER OF HORROR
Bomb gives Charles reminder of horror
By James Stinson
THE BRITISH prince of Wales flew into Omagh yesterday and said he was "appalled" and "shattered" by the weekend bombing.
Hundreds - some still visibly shaken - gathered in the town centre to greet the prince.
He was accompanied by Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, first minister David Trimble, Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon and William Thompson MR
After talking to members of the crowd, Prince Charles stopped to look at the floral tributes before signing a Book of Condolence in the Main Street.
He later stopped at the bomb blast site before moving on to the Tyrone County Hospital.
Earlier Prince Charles said the atrocity had taken him back to the similar tragedy in Enniskillen a decade a go and 19 years ago to the murder of his Great Uncle Lord Mountbatten.
"I do have some understanding of the awful horrors that people have to put up with when they lose their loved ones," he said.
Seventy-two hours after the bomb the people of Omagh still appeared barely able to come to terms with the tragedy: the sense of unreality still gripping the small market town was etched on faces everywhere.
As bulldozers moved in to demolish buildings damaged by the blast, people gathered in nearby streets and allies.
Many had come to grieve with their friends, others simply stood in quiet reflection.
There are pockets of floral tributes dedicated to the victims scattered throughout the town.
They conveyed sympathy from as far away as Derry, Dublin, Belfast and London. One card from a "victim of Dublin bomb" carried the simple message "This must never happen again".
Most shops are closed and will remain so until the last of the victims are buried.
The business of everyday life has been suspended. The body language and heavy expressions on peoples faces suggest normality is a long way off.
Sean Montgomery, who emigrated to the States 25 years ago and is visiting relatives, said he had been thinking of moving back to Omagh, but Saturday's events had made him think - he had a nephew injured in the bomb.
"When you look at all this it makes you wonder. Six weeks from now who will think of Omagh."
"These people will never forget."
By James Stinson
THE BRITISH prince of Wales flew into Omagh yesterday and said he was "appalled" and "shattered" by the weekend bombing.
Hundreds - some still visibly shaken - gathered in the town centre to greet the prince.
He was accompanied by Secretary of State Mo Mowlam, first minister David Trimble, Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon and William Thompson MR
After talking to members of the crowd, Prince Charles stopped to look at the floral tributes before signing a Book of Condolence in the Main Street.
He later stopped at the bomb blast site before moving on to the Tyrone County Hospital.
Earlier Prince Charles said the atrocity had taken him back to the similar tragedy in Enniskillen a decade a go and 19 years ago to the murder of his Great Uncle Lord Mountbatten.
"I do have some understanding of the awful horrors that people have to put up with when they lose their loved ones," he said.
Seventy-two hours after the bomb the people of Omagh still appeared barely able to come to terms with the tragedy: the sense of unreality still gripping the small market town was etched on faces everywhere.
As bulldozers moved in to demolish buildings damaged by the blast, people gathered in nearby streets and allies.
Many had come to grieve with their friends, others simply stood in quiet reflection.
There are pockets of floral tributes dedicated to the victims scattered throughout the town.
They conveyed sympathy from as far away as Derry, Dublin, Belfast and London. One card from a "victim of Dublin bomb" carried the simple message "This must never happen again".
Most shops are closed and will remain so until the last of the victims are buried.
The business of everyday life has been suspended. The body language and heavy expressions on peoples faces suggest normality is a long way off.
Sean Montgomery, who emigrated to the States 25 years ago and is visiting relatives, said he had been thinking of moving back to Omagh, but Saturday's events had made him think - he had a nephew injured in the bomb.
"When you look at all this it makes you wonder. Six weeks from now who will think of Omagh."
"These people will never forget."
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0068
Published Date: 19-Aug-98
Related Images
