YET MORE SUFFERING AS VICTIM IS BURIED
Yet more suffering as victim is buried
By Seamus McKinney
OMAGH came to a standstill yesterday as a horse-drawn hearse carried the 29th victim of the Omagh bombing from St Mary's church, Killyclogher to his final resting place at Dublin Road cemetery.
The sombre black-plumed horses, accompanied by silk-hatted undertakers, may have presented an unusual sight at a modern day funeral - but it did little to hide the pain and grief of 61-year-old Sean McGrath's family.
Several hundred people, packed into St Mary's church heard Fr Francis Murray describe Mr McGrath as an exemplary friend to all.
The Duke of Abercorn joined Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty as well as Joe Byrne of the SDLP and representatives' of Omagh's business community, of which Mr McGrath was a vibrant and active member.
There was also a message of sympathy, sent from Australia, from Irish president, Mary McAleese.
Mr McGrath, who ran a bakery business in Omagh, died on Saturday at the Royal Victoria hospital, three weeks after he was caught in the bomb which had already claimed 28 lives.
Fr Murray told the congregation: "Sean's untimely death has left us hurt, baffled and confused. Today we walk with the McGrath family through this traumatic and difficult tragedy," he said.
"I have no simple solution for you, Mrs McGrath, or your family for the grevious hurt in your hearts today. We will walk through this hour with you to live and love and laugh again. We will. I know we will," Fr Murray said.
There was a particularly poignant tribute to the late Mr McGrath from his life-long friend, Aillis Gallagher.
It was Ms Gallagher who drew the congregation's attention to the tragic symmetry of Mr McGrath's life.
He was born at Market Street 61 years ago and it was at Market Street that he sustained the injuries which were eventually to claim his life.
Auxiliary bishop of Derry, Dr Francis Lagan described Mr McGrath as "a man who stood for all that is good in life," the Derry bishop said his family should be proud of his "wonderful and enduring qualities."
"May you be sustained by the good memories you have of his live and care and may you be helped by the support and prayers of this community who are united by grief that has touched us all."
Mr McGrath is survived by his wife, Nuala, sons, Conor and Gavin and daughters, Noeleen and Caragh.
By Seamus McKinney
OMAGH came to a standstill yesterday as a horse-drawn hearse carried the 29th victim of the Omagh bombing from St Mary's church, Killyclogher to his final resting place at Dublin Road cemetery.
The sombre black-plumed horses, accompanied by silk-hatted undertakers, may have presented an unusual sight at a modern day funeral - but it did little to hide the pain and grief of 61-year-old Sean McGrath's family.
Several hundred people, packed into St Mary's church heard Fr Francis Murray describe Mr McGrath as an exemplary friend to all.
The Duke of Abercorn joined Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness and Pat Doherty as well as Joe Byrne of the SDLP and representatives' of Omagh's business community, of which Mr McGrath was a vibrant and active member.
There was also a message of sympathy, sent from Australia, from Irish president, Mary McAleese.
Mr McGrath, who ran a bakery business in Omagh, died on Saturday at the Royal Victoria hospital, three weeks after he was caught in the bomb which had already claimed 28 lives.
Fr Murray told the congregation: "Sean's untimely death has left us hurt, baffled and confused. Today we walk with the McGrath family through this traumatic and difficult tragedy," he said.
"I have no simple solution for you, Mrs McGrath, or your family for the grevious hurt in your hearts today. We will walk through this hour with you to live and love and laugh again. We will. I know we will," Fr Murray said.
There was a particularly poignant tribute to the late Mr McGrath from his life-long friend, Aillis Gallagher.
It was Ms Gallagher who drew the congregation's attention to the tragic symmetry of Mr McGrath's life.
He was born at Market Street 61 years ago and it was at Market Street that he sustained the injuries which were eventually to claim his life.
Auxiliary bishop of Derry, Dr Francis Lagan described Mr McGrath as "a man who stood for all that is good in life," the Derry bishop said his family should be proud of his "wonderful and enduring qualities."
"May you be sustained by the good memories you have of his live and care and may you be helped by the support and prayers of this community who are united by grief that has touched us all."
Mr McGrath is survived by his wife, Nuala, sons, Conor and Gavin and daughters, Noeleen and Caragh.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0371
Published Date: 08-Sep-98
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