TRIBUTE PAID TO OMAGH VICTIMS
Tribute paid to Omagh victims
By Micheal McHugh PA
UP TO 300 people attended a memorial service yesterday for The Omagh bomb victims. The 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in August 1998 Real IRA atrocity were remembered by their relatives as well as representatives of the Irish and British governments. The tomb exploded on the Co Tyrone town's packed main shopping street. Omagh Support and Self-Help Group chairman Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan (21) in the blast, said they had expressed solidarity with all victims. "This was a service of prayer, memories and reflection and we have also been remembering victims of terrorism in other parts of the world," he said. "We have to remember that we have seen terrorism this week just down the road in Newry and we have seen international terrorists attempting to bomb 10 planes on their way to the United States. "We will also be remembering the suffering of the people of Lebanon and Israel."
David Cairns, the Northern Ireland Office minister with responsibility for victims, was in Omagh for the service along with the Republic's minister of state Brendan Smyth.
Groups from the north and south of Ireland, Spain and Croatia were present for an inter-denominational service of reflection.
No-one has been convicted of planting the device although Sean Gerard Hoey, from Molly Road in Jonesboro, is due to face trial.
The Real IRA has admitted responsibility for Omagh and has also admitted being behind last week's Newry fire bombings.
By Micheal McHugh PA
UP TO 300 people attended a memorial service yesterday for The Omagh bomb victims. The 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in August 1998 Real IRA atrocity were remembered by their relatives as well as representatives of the Irish and British governments. The tomb exploded on the Co Tyrone town's packed main shopping street. Omagh Support and Self-Help Group chairman Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan (21) in the blast, said they had expressed solidarity with all victims. "This was a service of prayer, memories and reflection and we have also been remembering victims of terrorism in other parts of the world," he said. "We have to remember that we have seen terrorism this week just down the road in Newry and we have seen international terrorists attempting to bomb 10 planes on their way to the United States. "We will also be remembering the suffering of the people of Lebanon and Israel."
David Cairns, the Northern Ireland Office minister with responsibility for victims, was in Omagh for the service along with the Republic's minister of state Brendan Smyth.
Groups from the north and south of Ireland, Spain and Croatia were present for an inter-denominational service of reflection.
No-one has been convicted of planting the device although Sean Gerard Hoey, from Molly Road in Jonesboro, is due to face trial.
The Real IRA has admitted responsibility for Omagh and has also admitted being behind last week's Newry fire bombings.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0796
Published Date: 14-Aug-06
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