BOMB VICTIMS REMEMBERED IN CEREMONY
Bomb victims remembered in ceremony
By Bimpe Fatogun
THE victims of the Omagh bombing were honoured at an ecumenical service in the town's memorial garden yesterday - six years after the atrocity.
The ceremony was organised, for the first time, by relatives of the 29 people -including a woman pregnant with twins -killed in the 1998 attack.
It follows a decision by Omagh district council to discontinue the memorial service it held for the five years following the tragedy.
It was attended by Irish transport minister Seamus Brennan and David Watkins senior director at the NIO, as well as guests from Spain, homeland of two of the victims. Mr Brennan cut short his holiday to attend the service on behalf of the Irish government.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aidan was killed in the Real IRA attack, said relatives appreciated all the council had done but were ready to take on the commemoration themselves.
"We are grateful the five previous anniversaries were marked in the way they were, but we believe we ourselves had to do something and this is the time to do it," he said, speaking ahead of the event.
"We are delighted we have organised what we hope will be a fitting tribute."
Mr Gallagher said six years on, it was still painful for those who had lost loved ones in the blast.
"It is the day we all lost someone and for some families it is important they can come together and that we can offer support to each other on what is probably the most difficult weekend," he said.
"Some families still can't bear to be so close to where the bomb exploded, but they are happy a service is taking place."
London-based Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James died in the bombing, spoke recently of his fears that no-one would be brought to justice.
A personal blessing was read in both English and Spanish by a friend of 23-year-old youth group leader Rocio Abad Ramos who was killed during a visit to the market town on that day.
On the order of service of the international/cross-community ceremony was written: 'To remember and honour those who died and those still suffering".
By Bimpe Fatogun
THE victims of the Omagh bombing were honoured at an ecumenical service in the town's memorial garden yesterday - six years after the atrocity.
The ceremony was organised, for the first time, by relatives of the 29 people -including a woman pregnant with twins -killed in the 1998 attack.
It follows a decision by Omagh district council to discontinue the memorial service it held for the five years following the tragedy.
It was attended by Irish transport minister Seamus Brennan and David Watkins senior director at the NIO, as well as guests from Spain, homeland of two of the victims. Mr Brennan cut short his holiday to attend the service on behalf of the Irish government.
Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Aidan was killed in the Real IRA attack, said relatives appreciated all the council had done but were ready to take on the commemoration themselves.
"We are grateful the five previous anniversaries were marked in the way they were, but we believe we ourselves had to do something and this is the time to do it," he said, speaking ahead of the event.
"We are delighted we have organised what we hope will be a fitting tribute."
Mr Gallagher said six years on, it was still painful for those who had lost loved ones in the blast.
"It is the day we all lost someone and for some families it is important they can come together and that we can offer support to each other on what is probably the most difficult weekend," he said.
"Some families still can't bear to be so close to where the bomb exploded, but they are happy a service is taking place."
London-based Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son James died in the bombing, spoke recently of his fears that no-one would be brought to justice.
A personal blessing was read in both English and Spanish by a friend of 23-year-old youth group leader Rocio Abad Ramos who was killed during a visit to the market town on that day.
On the order of service of the international/cross-community ceremony was written: 'To remember and honour those who died and those still suffering".
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0705
Published Date: 16-Aug-04
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