VICTIMS OF THE BOMB
Victims of the bomb
Compile by Julie Toudic
PHILOMENA SKELTON
Philomena Skelton (39), a mother of four, was in Omagh shopping with her family at the time of the bomb blast. She died in Kells shop as she helped her daughters try on school uniforms which were needed for September. Her husband survived as he had gone into the drapery shop next door. Hundreds of mourners followed the hearse from their family home in Dooish, Drumquin to St Patrick's church in Langfield. Her 13-year-old daughter Shauna was still suffering with a broken jaw. Her body was laid to rest just yards from the home she loved.
ESTHER GIBSON
Esther Gibson (36) was on her holidays and was to go back to work on the Monday. She was in Omagh on the Saturday to do some shopping when she was caught up in the blast. She worked in the local clothing factory and had recently become engaged. She was due to be married in
July. She was also to have been a bridesmaid at her sister's wedding in 5 weeks. Instead hundreds of people flocked to her home in Beragh and followed her coffin to the Sixmilecross Free Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher. Her body was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
BRIAN MCCRORY
Brian McCrory, a 45-year-old father of three. Over 300 people crowded into St Mary's chapel at Killyclogher outside Omagh, and twice as many stood outside in the drizzle for Requiem Mass. Father Eugene Hassen told mourners he had known the McCrory family for over 18 years and they were respected throughout the community for being "honest to God, hard working people". Brian was the second eldest of 10 children.
OLIVE HAWKES
Olive Hawkes, a 60-year-old mother of two died instantly in the massive blast. Hundreds of mourners made their way from all over the country to the family home at Fercarry Road in the heart of the west countryside. A mile long convoy of vehicles made the way to the little Methodist church at Mayne where other mourners had already assembled. Her distraught husband Percy, their son Mark and daughter Mandy appealed to journalists to respect their privacy as they were still attempting to come to terms with her death. After the service, the funeral cortege made its way back towards Omagh to the Cappagh Parish Church graveyard where Olive was laid to rest.
SEAN McGRATH
Sean McGrath was the 29th victim of the Omagh bomb atrocity. The retired business man died in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital after surgeons there had battled to save life. He died after having been in a critical condition since the explosion. His family spent three weeks at his bedside praying for his recovery. He was well-known in Omagh as a successful baker and was a household name. Several hundred people packed into St Mary's church in Killyclougher to pay their respects. His wife Nuala and children Conor, Gavin, Noeleen and Caragh led the mourners from the church to Dublin Road cemetery where his body was laid to rest.
Compile by Julie Toudic
PHILOMENA SKELTON
Philomena Skelton (39), a mother of four, was in Omagh shopping with her family at the time of the bomb blast. She died in Kells shop as she helped her daughters try on school uniforms which were needed for September. Her husband survived as he had gone into the drapery shop next door. Hundreds of mourners followed the hearse from their family home in Dooish, Drumquin to St Patrick's church in Langfield. Her 13-year-old daughter Shauna was still suffering with a broken jaw. Her body was laid to rest just yards from the home she loved.
ESTHER GIBSON
Esther Gibson (36) was on her holidays and was to go back to work on the Monday. She was in Omagh on the Saturday to do some shopping when she was caught up in the blast. She worked in the local clothing factory and had recently become engaged. She was due to be married in
July. She was also to have been a bridesmaid at her sister's wedding in 5 weeks. Instead hundreds of people flocked to her home in Beragh and followed her coffin to the Sixmilecross Free Presbyterian Church where she was a Sunday school teacher. Her body was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.
BRIAN MCCRORY
Brian McCrory, a 45-year-old father of three. Over 300 people crowded into St Mary's chapel at Killyclogher outside Omagh, and twice as many stood outside in the drizzle for Requiem Mass. Father Eugene Hassen told mourners he had known the McCrory family for over 18 years and they were respected throughout the community for being "honest to God, hard working people". Brian was the second eldest of 10 children.
OLIVE HAWKES
Olive Hawkes, a 60-year-old mother of two died instantly in the massive blast. Hundreds of mourners made their way from all over the country to the family home at Fercarry Road in the heart of the west countryside. A mile long convoy of vehicles made the way to the little Methodist church at Mayne where other mourners had already assembled. Her distraught husband Percy, their son Mark and daughter Mandy appealed to journalists to respect their privacy as they were still attempting to come to terms with her death. After the service, the funeral cortege made its way back towards Omagh to the Cappagh Parish Church graveyard where Olive was laid to rest.
SEAN McGRATH
Sean McGrath was the 29th victim of the Omagh bomb atrocity. The retired business man died in Belfast's Royal Victoria Hospital after surgeons there had battled to save life. He died after having been in a critical condition since the explosion. His family spent three weeks at his bedside praying for his recovery. He was well-known in Omagh as a successful baker and was a household name. Several hundred people packed into St Mary's church in Killyclougher to pay their respects. His wife Nuala and children Conor, Gavin, Noeleen and Caragh led the mourners from the church to Dublin Road cemetery where his body was laid to rest.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0297
Published Date: 10-Aug-99
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