SPANISH TOLD TO AVOID NORTH AFTER OMAGH
Spanish told to avoid north after Omagh
By Seamus McKinney
FOLLOWING the deaths of two Spanish students in the Omagh bombing, students visiting Co Donegal have been placed under strict orders not to visit Northern Ireland.
Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and 23-year-old Rocio Abad Ramos were killed last August when they were caught up in the Omagh bombing after a visit to the Ulster-American Folk Park.
They had been staying as part of an exchange visit in Buncrana, Co Donegal, but travelled across the border on a day out. Three other children from Buncrana, Shaun McLaughlin (12), Oran Doherty (8) and James Barker (12) also died in the atrocity.
While Spanish students have returned to the Co Donegal town this year, organisers of the exchange visit, following talks with their parents and host families in Buncrana, have barred them from crossing the border.
According to Buncrana curate Fr Shane Bradley, the decision was taken to re-assure the visitors' families back in Spain.
Fr Bradley said that, while it was regrettable, the decision to spend the entire visit in the Republic was entirely understandable.
The decision means that none of this year's visitors will be travelling to the Co Tyrone town on August 15th for the commemoration ceremonies.
But the visitors are expected to attend a Mass to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy in Buncrana which is also scheduled to take place on August 15.
By Seamus McKinney
FOLLOWING the deaths of two Spanish students in the Omagh bombing, students visiting Co Donegal have been placed under strict orders not to visit Northern Ireland.
Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and 23-year-old Rocio Abad Ramos were killed last August when they were caught up in the Omagh bombing after a visit to the Ulster-American Folk Park.
They had been staying as part of an exchange visit in Buncrana, Co Donegal, but travelled across the border on a day out. Three other children from Buncrana, Shaun McLaughlin (12), Oran Doherty (8) and James Barker (12) also died in the atrocity.
While Spanish students have returned to the Co Donegal town this year, organisers of the exchange visit, following talks with their parents and host families in Buncrana, have barred them from crossing the border.
According to Buncrana curate Fr Shane Bradley, the decision was taken to re-assure the visitors' families back in Spain.
Fr Bradley said that, while it was regrettable, the decision to spend the entire visit in the Republic was entirely understandable.
The decision means that none of this year's visitors will be travelling to the Co Tyrone town on August 15th for the commemoration ceremonies.
But the visitors are expected to attend a Mass to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy in Buncrana which is also scheduled to take place on August 15.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0286
Published Date: 24-Jul-99
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