SOMBRE MOOD AT BOMB SCENE
Sombre mood at bomb scene
By James Stinson
IT was an emotional president who arrived in Market Street, the site of the bomb less than three weeks ago, to dedicate a plaque to the victims of
the atrocity.
The presidential cavalcade made its way to Market Street past the large number of floral tributes that still line the footpaths of the bridge,
spanning the river Strule. The party arrived in the street just yards from where the bomb had exploded to be greeted by Omagh district council
Chief Executive John McKinney.
Both President Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared visibly moved by the scenes of destruction around the site.
Between them, on the filled-in crater left by the bomb, stood the temporary pedestal draped in black cloth carrying the plaque. The president and the prime minister jointly unveiled the silver coloured plaque which will stand as a permanent memorial on the street once it is rebuilt.
Dedicated to the men, women and children killed in the terrorist bombing it carried the simple inscription: "May their memory serve to foster peace and reconciliation". Watched by a large gathering further down Market Street neither man spoke before walking towards the even bigger crowd a few hundred yards away in High Street. Council Chief Executive John McKinney said the people of Omagh were very positive about Mr Clinton's visit. He said: "If the families could take some solace from the visit and gain the strength to move on it would be a positive thing." He pointed to the wrecked buildings and said the one message he would be giving the president would be to encourage investment for Northern Ireland and Omagh in particular so that the town could look to a better future.
By James Stinson
IT was an emotional president who arrived in Market Street, the site of the bomb less than three weeks ago, to dedicate a plaque to the victims of
the atrocity.
The presidential cavalcade made its way to Market Street past the large number of floral tributes that still line the footpaths of the bridge,
spanning the river Strule. The party arrived in the street just yards from where the bomb had exploded to be greeted by Omagh district council
Chief Executive John McKinney.
Both President Clinton and British Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared visibly moved by the scenes of destruction around the site.
Between them, on the filled-in crater left by the bomb, stood the temporary pedestal draped in black cloth carrying the plaque. The president and the prime minister jointly unveiled the silver coloured plaque which will stand as a permanent memorial on the street once it is rebuilt.
Dedicated to the men, women and children killed in the terrorist bombing it carried the simple inscription: "May their memory serve to foster peace and reconciliation". Watched by a large gathering further down Market Street neither man spoke before walking towards the even bigger crowd a few hundred yards away in High Street. Council Chief Executive John McKinney said the people of Omagh were very positive about Mr Clinton's visit. He said: "If the families could take some solace from the visit and gain the strength to move on it would be a positive thing." He pointed to the wrecked buildings and said the one message he would be giving the president would be to encourage investment for Northern Ireland and Omagh in particular so that the town could look to a better future.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0360
Published Date: 04-Sep-98
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