OMAGH'S REGENERATION 'INSPIRING'
Omagh's regeneration 'inspiring'
By Margaret Canning
Tyrone Correspondent
OMAGH'S regeneration after the 1998 Real IRA bomb is an inspiration to other parts of the world touched by tragedy, President
Mary McAleese said yesterday.
Speaking during a visit to Tyrone, Mrs McAleese praised Omagh's councillors for their leadership after the bombing, in which 29 people and unborn twins were killed.
"Of all the dreadful atrocities in our history, nothing prepares human beings for being in the centre of something as appalling as that," she told them, but she said the town had re-emerged as a buzzing and thriving location.
"Over the years we have watched Omagh and how it coped with all this, this extraordinary test we wish had never been conferred by human evil, by human hands. But you used it as a source of energy to try and drive forward to a new future. Places around the world suffering tragedy could be inspired by Omagh."
Sinn Fein assembly member Barry McElduff told Mrs McAleese her visit was a morale booster and praised her "very active presidency".
The SDLP's Dr Josephine Deehan also paid tribute to the president but added that the town had suffered recently from a decision to downgrade Tyrone County Hospital.
UUP councillor Allan Rainey also thanked Mrs McAleese for her "tremendous assistance" after the bomb.
Three DUP councillors were absent from the visit to the council offices, including Tom Buchanan who said he had "much more important business" meeting health minister Shaun Woodward.
Later, Mrs McAleese and her husband Martin met representatives of businesses and the community and voluntary sectors.
Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support Self-Help Group, whose son Aidan died in the 1998 atrocity, said he asked her to back its call for a full public inquiry.
The President and her husband also visited The Royal School in Dungannon and Loretto Grammar School in Omagh, where she was shown exhibitions celebrating the school's centenary last year. The couple also visited Age Concern in Beragh.
By Margaret Canning
Tyrone Correspondent
OMAGH'S regeneration after the 1998 Real IRA bomb is an inspiration to other parts of the world touched by tragedy, President
Mary McAleese said yesterday.
Speaking during a visit to Tyrone, Mrs McAleese praised Omagh's councillors for their leadership after the bombing, in which 29 people and unborn twins were killed.
"Of all the dreadful atrocities in our history, nothing prepares human beings for being in the centre of something as appalling as that," she told them, but she said the town had re-emerged as a buzzing and thriving location.
"Over the years we have watched Omagh and how it coped with all this, this extraordinary test we wish had never been conferred by human evil, by human hands. But you used it as a source of energy to try and drive forward to a new future. Places around the world suffering tragedy could be inspired by Omagh."
Sinn Fein assembly member Barry McElduff told Mrs McAleese her visit was a morale booster and praised her "very active presidency".
The SDLP's Dr Josephine Deehan also paid tribute to the president but added that the town had suffered recently from a decision to downgrade Tyrone County Hospital.
UUP councillor Allan Rainey also thanked Mrs McAleese for her "tremendous assistance" after the bomb.
Three DUP councillors were absent from the visit to the council offices, including Tom Buchanan who said he had "much more important business" meeting health minister Shaun Woodward.
Later, Mrs McAleese and her husband Martin met representatives of businesses and the community and voluntary sectors.
Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support Self-Help Group, whose son Aidan died in the 1998 atrocity, said he asked her to back its call for a full public inquiry.
The President and her husband also visited The Royal School in Dungannon and Loretto Grammar School in Omagh, where she was shown exhibitions celebrating the school's centenary last year. The couple also visited Age Concern in Beragh.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0776
Published Date: 01-Feb-06
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