MADRID SERVICE MARKS SPANISH VICTIMS' TRAGEDY
Madrid service marks Spanish victims' tragedy
By Niamh Collier
A MEMORIAL service was held in Madrid last night to mark the tragic deaths of Fernando Blasco Bacelga and Ms Rocio Abad Ramos, the two Spaniards killed in Omagh last Saturday.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, represented the Irish government at the vigil.
As she arrived at the school attended by Fernando -Colegio Nuestra Senora del Recequedo, where the service was held - she was met by Princess Elena of Spain and her husband, Jaime de Marichalar. Other mourners at the service included Madrid's minister for culture, foreign
minister and the mayor, as well as John McFall, the Northern Ireland health minister.
Funerals for the two Spanish victims were held on Tuesday, after their bodies were flown home from Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, families of Spaniards killed or injured in the Omagh bomb attack will be due full compensation payment, the British Embassy in Madrid said yesterday.
Under British regulations, innocent victims of the violence in Northern Ireland can receive indemnity payment regardless of their nationality.
As well as the two killed, 12 young Spaniards were among the 300 people injured in the attack.
The Spanish victims were the first foreigners to be killed in three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
It was not immediately known if any of the families involved have applied for compensation. No one could be reached for comment at the embassy.
By Niamh Collier
A MEMORIAL service was held in Madrid last night to mark the tragic deaths of Fernando Blasco Bacelga and Ms Rocio Abad Ramos, the two Spaniards killed in Omagh last Saturday.
The Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Harney, represented the Irish government at the vigil.
As she arrived at the school attended by Fernando -Colegio Nuestra Senora del Recequedo, where the service was held - she was met by Princess Elena of Spain and her husband, Jaime de Marichalar. Other mourners at the service included Madrid's minister for culture, foreign
minister and the mayor, as well as John McFall, the Northern Ireland health minister.
Funerals for the two Spanish victims were held on Tuesday, after their bodies were flown home from Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, families of Spaniards killed or injured in the Omagh bomb attack will be due full compensation payment, the British Embassy in Madrid said yesterday.
Under British regulations, innocent victims of the violence in Northern Ireland can receive indemnity payment regardless of their nationality.
As well as the two killed, 12 young Spaniards were among the 300 people injured in the attack.
The Spanish victims were the first foreigners to be killed in three decades of violence in Northern Ireland.
It was not immediately known if any of the families involved have applied for compensation. No one could be reached for comment at the embassy.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0149
Published Date: 21-Aug-98
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