LEADERS UNITE TO PAY TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS
Leaders unite to pay tribute to victims
By Rebecca Black
TRIBUTES have been paid from across Ireland and Spain to the 29 men, women and children and two unborn twins murdered in the Omagh bomb in 1998.
President Mary McAleese said that "thoughts and prayers remain with all those who suffered so cruelly from the evil perpetrated on that dreadful day in August 1998".
She paid tribute to the people of Omagh for "demonstrating that the will towards peace and reconciliation embodied in the Good Friday Agreement was stronger and more powerful than any bomb or bullet".
Taoiseach Brian Cowen represented the Irish government at the memorial ceremony.
He said that people across the world "stand once more in solidarity with the people of Omagh" and described the bomb as "an attack on all of the people of Ireland".
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward attended the service on behalf of the British government.
He said the events of that fateful day will "forever be indelibly marked in the minds and hearts of all decent people".
"Nothing will undo the pain and suffering of those who had been so savagely hurt," he said.
"The search to bring to justice those criminals behind the bomb still continues."
Conservative shadow secretary of state Owen Paterson said: "The best way we can honour their memory is for all of us to work together to build a better Northern Ireland."
Meanwhile Colin Lammey, chief fire officer from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said that firefighters who attended the scene of the bomb had been deeply affected by what they saw that day.
"Their efforts to help save life and assist those injured, whilst working in the most difficult of conditions, are something that has had a profound and lasting effect on both the individuals involved and the organisation as a whole and is something we will never forget," he said.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the bomb "epitomised the brutality and futility of all terrorism".
West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan, speaking on behalf of his party said it was "difficult for the town of Omagh to recall what happened to our fellow townsfolk".
"I call on our community to come together in total solidarity to ensure that those terrorists who carried out the bombing, are brought to justice," he said.
Deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Danny Kennedy said his party's "thoughts and prayers are with those who suffered at the hands of terrorism that fateful day".
By Rebecca Black
TRIBUTES have been paid from across Ireland and Spain to the 29 men, women and children and two unborn twins murdered in the Omagh bomb in 1998.
President Mary McAleese said that "thoughts and prayers remain with all those who suffered so cruelly from the evil perpetrated on that dreadful day in August 1998".
She paid tribute to the people of Omagh for "demonstrating that the will towards peace and reconciliation embodied in the Good Friday Agreement was stronger and more powerful than any bomb or bullet".
Taoiseach Brian Cowen represented the Irish government at the memorial ceremony.
He said that people across the world "stand once more in solidarity with the people of Omagh" and described the bomb as "an attack on all of the people of Ireland".
Secretary of State Shaun Woodward attended the service on behalf of the British government.
He said the events of that fateful day will "forever be indelibly marked in the minds and hearts of all decent people".
"Nothing will undo the pain and suffering of those who had been so savagely hurt," he said.
"The search to bring to justice those criminals behind the bomb still continues."
Conservative shadow secretary of state Owen Paterson said: "The best way we can honour their memory is for all of us to work together to build a better Northern Ireland."
Meanwhile Colin Lammey, chief fire officer from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service said that firefighters who attended the scene of the bomb had been deeply affected by what they saw that day.
"Their efforts to help save life and assist those injured, whilst working in the most difficult of conditions, are something that has had a profound and lasting effect on both the individuals involved and the organisation as a whole and is something we will never forget," he said.
SDLP leader Mark Durkan said the bomb "epitomised the brutality and futility of all terrorism".
West Tyrone DUP MLA Tom Buchanan, speaking on behalf of his party said it was "difficult for the town of Omagh to recall what happened to our fellow townsfolk".
"I call on our community to come together in total solidarity to ensure that those terrorists who carried out the bombing, are brought to justice," he said.
Deputy leader of the Ulster Unionist Party Danny Kennedy said his party's "thoughts and prayers are with those who suffered at the hands of terrorism that fateful day".
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN10An/22
Published Date: 16-Aug-08
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