POIGNANT SERVICE AT OMAGH SCHOOL
Poignant service at Omagh school
By Seamus McKinney
STUDENTS at Omagh High School have taken part in a special service to commemorate all those killed and injured, including two classmates, in last month's bombing of the County Tyrone town.
At a special assembly at the school yesterday morning, the students remembered Lorraine Wilson (15) and Alan Radford (16) who lost their lives in the bomb.
They also commemorated past pupils Esther Gibson (36) and Debra Cartwright (20) who were killed.
Principal, Bill Harpur said the students conducted themselves with a quiet and subdued dignity throughout the assembly although some pupils were overcome with grief and were assisted by staff.
In an address to the students, Mr Harpur took as his theme the idea that there was "more to life than living and more to death than dying."
The Omagh teacher said afterwards he attempted to look back at the carnage, devastation and pain caused by the bombing while also looking forward.
Mr Harpur told staff, students and other guests that death was not the end of life.
With the assembly hall decorated with numerous floral gifts donated by friends of Omagh High, the service was particularly poignant as friends and relatives of the deceased, including Clare Radford, Alan's sister, were present.
After addressing the pupils the entire staff and student body sang a hymn in memory, not just of Alan and Lorraine, but of the nine people killed - including mothers and other relations - who were connected with the school.
After observing a minute's silence, those present reflected on the tragedy while Omagh High teacher Alvin Mullan played a poignant air on the flute accompanied by piano.
After praying for the injured and everyone caught up in the bombing, the students sang Safe in the Arms of Jesus, before completing their service with The Lord's Prayer and final benediction.
Mr Harpur said he was particularly moved by a number of contributions by "friends of the school," including a framed embroidery of a verse from the 23rd psalm.
Recalling the two students who lost their lives, the principal described Lorraine as a "model student".
"She was very caring. She had the sort of values you would like your own daughter to have," he said.
With a particular interest in hockey, Lorraine was also keen on cross-community projects and recently travelled to France with students from local Catholic schools. The 15-year-old was due to sit her GCSE examinations next year.
Mr Harpur said Alan Radford was a particularly sociable boy.
"I have a particular memory of Alan and that is having to move him along after lunchtime as he was always chatting in the corridors to his friends. He was never cheeky and there was no nastiness, he just liked talking to his friends," he said.
While he was pleased with the way in which pupils coped with yesterday's return to assembly, Mr Harpur felt problems could arise at a later date.
He also revealed plans to erect a plaque to the memory of all those connected with the school who died or suffered through the bombing.
By Seamus McKinney
STUDENTS at Omagh High School have taken part in a special service to commemorate all those killed and injured, including two classmates, in last month's bombing of the County Tyrone town.
At a special assembly at the school yesterday morning, the students remembered Lorraine Wilson (15) and Alan Radford (16) who lost their lives in the bomb.
They also commemorated past pupils Esther Gibson (36) and Debra Cartwright (20) who were killed.
Principal, Bill Harpur said the students conducted themselves with a quiet and subdued dignity throughout the assembly although some pupils were overcome with grief and were assisted by staff.
In an address to the students, Mr Harpur took as his theme the idea that there was "more to life than living and more to death than dying."
The Omagh teacher said afterwards he attempted to look back at the carnage, devastation and pain caused by the bombing while also looking forward.
Mr Harpur told staff, students and other guests that death was not the end of life.
With the assembly hall decorated with numerous floral gifts donated by friends of Omagh High, the service was particularly poignant as friends and relatives of the deceased, including Clare Radford, Alan's sister, were present.
After addressing the pupils the entire staff and student body sang a hymn in memory, not just of Alan and Lorraine, but of the nine people killed - including mothers and other relations - who were connected with the school.
After observing a minute's silence, those present reflected on the tragedy while Omagh High teacher Alvin Mullan played a poignant air on the flute accompanied by piano.
After praying for the injured and everyone caught up in the bombing, the students sang Safe in the Arms of Jesus, before completing their service with The Lord's Prayer and final benediction.
Mr Harpur said he was particularly moved by a number of contributions by "friends of the school," including a framed embroidery of a verse from the 23rd psalm.
Recalling the two students who lost their lives, the principal described Lorraine as a "model student".
"She was very caring. She had the sort of values you would like your own daughter to have," he said.
With a particular interest in hockey, Lorraine was also keen on cross-community projects and recently travelled to France with students from local Catholic schools. The 15-year-old was due to sit her GCSE examinations next year.
Mr Harpur said Alan Radford was a particularly sociable boy.
"I have a particular memory of Alan and that is having to move him along after lunchtime as he was always chatting in the corridors to his friends. He was never cheeky and there was no nastiness, he just liked talking to his friends," he said.
While he was pleased with the way in which pupils coped with yesterday's return to assembly, Mr Harpur felt problems could arise at a later date.
He also revealed plans to erect a plaque to the memory of all those connected with the school who died or suffered through the bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0354
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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