MAKE PEACE PERMANENT RALLY URGES POLITICIANS
Make peace permanent rally urges politicians
UNIONS and business people joined community groups yesterday at an Omagh rally calling for peace in Northern Ireland.
Up to 70 people took part in the People's Rally at Omagh Town Hall in support of the 'Time's Running Out' campaign, with the message to politicians that people want peace and a political solution now.
Barry Benson, of the local community network focus, said the rally was not aimed at "pointing the finger of blame, but to implore the decision-makers to make a genuinely conscious effort to move this process forward.
"This town has suffered like so many throughout the north as a consequence of the troubles. We have an opportunity for change and a better future for us all, so we must give encouragement and support to those who have the duty to reach a settlement."
The 80-strong rally was addressed by Stanley McCombe and Michael Gallagher, who both lost relatives in the Omagh bomb on August 15 last year.
Other speakers included representatives from the trade unions Unison and GMB, young people from Omagh, the district council and NICVA.
The 'Time's Running Out' campaign is being run by the CBI, ICTU and NICVA -representing employers, unions and the voluntary and community sectors.
Meanwhile, soccer ace Michael Owen will be among the stars raising funds for Omagh when Liverpool play against the town's own team on Monday night.
The sell-out match is due to kick-off at 5pm and is the final friendly fixture between a premiership team and Omagh Town.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both previously travelled to the Co Tyrone town's pitch at St Julian's Road to raise funds for the victims of last year's Real IRA bomb attack.
As an added bonus to soccer fanatics, injured players Robbie Fowler and Dietmar Hamman will travel over with their team to sign autographs and meet the fans.
And fans have the added chance to meet their heroes from 2-4pm at the Silverbirch Hotel.
UNIONS and business people joined community groups yesterday at an Omagh rally calling for peace in Northern Ireland.
Up to 70 people took part in the People's Rally at Omagh Town Hall in support of the 'Time's Running Out' campaign, with the message to politicians that people want peace and a political solution now.
Barry Benson, of the local community network focus, said the rally was not aimed at "pointing the finger of blame, but to implore the decision-makers to make a genuinely conscious effort to move this process forward.
"This town has suffered like so many throughout the north as a consequence of the troubles. We have an opportunity for change and a better future for us all, so we must give encouragement and support to those who have the duty to reach a settlement."
The 80-strong rally was addressed by Stanley McCombe and Michael Gallagher, who both lost relatives in the Omagh bomb on August 15 last year.
Other speakers included representatives from the trade unions Unison and GMB, young people from Omagh, the district council and NICVA.
The 'Time's Running Out' campaign is being run by the CBI, ICTU and NICVA -representing employers, unions and the voluntary and community sectors.
Meanwhile, soccer ace Michael Owen will be among the stars raising funds for Omagh when Liverpool play against the town's own team on Monday night.
The sell-out match is due to kick-off at 5pm and is the final friendly fixture between a premiership team and Omagh Town.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both previously travelled to the Co Tyrone town's pitch at St Julian's Road to raise funds for the victims of last year's Real IRA bomb attack.
As an added bonus to soccer fanatics, injured players Robbie Fowler and Dietmar Hamman will travel over with their team to sign autographs and meet the fans.
And fans have the added chance to meet their heroes from 2-4pm at the Silverbirch Hotel.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0329
Published Date: 16-Oct-99
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