INQUIRY ONLY PROPER TRIBUTE TO BEREAVED
Inquiry 'only proper tribute to bereaved'
By Andrea McKernon
A FULL cross-border public inquiry would be the only proper tribute to relatives bereaved by the Omagh bombing, the father of a young man killed in the 1998 atrocity said at a memorial service in the town yesterday.
Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group - whose son Aidan (21) was murdered in the Real IRA bombing - also criticised politicians involved in a recent commemoration.
Hundreds of people made their way to a small memorial garden to remember the bombing that delivered slaughter to the Co Tyrone town a decade ago.
Bereaved families and traumatised survivors gathered on Drumragh Avenue "to remember and honour those who died and those who are still suffering".
Floral tributes were paid during the interdenominational service organised by the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group.
Mr Gallagher welcomed representatives from the Irish, Spanish and British governments, whose citizens were killed.
Yesterday's service was held 48 hours after an Omagh District Council event.
Families involved in the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group boycotted the earlier event that saw a memorial unveiled.
They said a public row over new wording on the memorial had hurt some of the victims' families.
Mr Gallagher rounded on those who had questioned the need for two services.
He said the families had a right to mark the killing of their loved ones in their own way.
"Many people have said why do we have a memorial service as well," he said.
"Well, why not? Over the last 10 years we have taken charge of our own lives and we have not let the terrorists dictate to us.
"We have the right to do what is right for us."
Mr Gallagher attacked those whom he accused of failing the Omagh families in the decade since the bombing.
He appeared to directly criticise those involved in Friday's council-led event.
"These people should hang their heads in shame," he said.
"We do not need the token gestures they have shown in recent weeks and their laying wreaths. It is not wreaths we need - it is justice and truth."
Former police ombudsman Dame Nuala O'Loan attended yesterday's service.
"I came to commemorate and support all those whose lives were taken in the Omagh bomb and those who are still suffering terrible pain," she said.
Dame Nuala spearheaded a probe into the initial investigation of the bombing and her report was scathing of the RUC investigation.
The husband of another Omagh victim criticised Sinn Fein.
Stanley McCombe - whose wife Ann was killed - said he found it difficult to deal with a lack of justice.
"It is hard to accept it 10 years later with all the goings-on in the investigations and then all the hype recently about this monstrosity of a memorial," he said.
"We didn't need the council involved and all this controversy.
"The truth has been hidden from us for 10 years.
"Members of Sinn Fein were here on Friday making speeches but we have been let down for 10 years."
Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed on August 15 1998 when a bomb exploded on a busy Saturday in Omagh streets packed with shoppers.
No-one has ever been brought to justice for what became the worst atrocity of the Troubles.
By Andrea McKernon
A FULL cross-border public inquiry would be the only proper tribute to relatives bereaved by the Omagh bombing, the father of a young man killed in the 1998 atrocity said at a memorial service in the town yesterday.
Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group - whose son Aidan (21) was murdered in the Real IRA bombing - also criticised politicians involved in a recent commemoration.
Hundreds of people made their way to a small memorial garden to remember the bombing that delivered slaughter to the Co Tyrone town a decade ago.
Bereaved families and traumatised survivors gathered on Drumragh Avenue "to remember and honour those who died and those who are still suffering".
Floral tributes were paid during the interdenominational service organised by the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group.
Mr Gallagher welcomed representatives from the Irish, Spanish and British governments, whose citizens were killed.
Yesterday's service was held 48 hours after an Omagh District Council event.
Families involved in the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group boycotted the earlier event that saw a memorial unveiled.
They said a public row over new wording on the memorial had hurt some of the victims' families.
Mr Gallagher rounded on those who had questioned the need for two services.
He said the families had a right to mark the killing of their loved ones in their own way.
"Many people have said why do we have a memorial service as well," he said.
"Well, why not? Over the last 10 years we have taken charge of our own lives and we have not let the terrorists dictate to us.
"We have the right to do what is right for us."
Mr Gallagher attacked those whom he accused of failing the Omagh families in the decade since the bombing.
He appeared to directly criticise those involved in Friday's council-led event.
"These people should hang their heads in shame," he said.
"We do not need the token gestures they have shown in recent weeks and their laying wreaths. It is not wreaths we need - it is justice and truth."
Former police ombudsman Dame Nuala O'Loan attended yesterday's service.
"I came to commemorate and support all those whose lives were taken in the Omagh bomb and those who are still suffering terrible pain," she said.
Dame Nuala spearheaded a probe into the initial investigation of the bombing and her report was scathing of the RUC investigation.
The husband of another Omagh victim criticised Sinn Fein.
Stanley McCombe - whose wife Ann was killed - said he found it difficult to deal with a lack of justice.
"It is hard to accept it 10 years later with all the goings-on in the investigations and then all the hype recently about this monstrosity of a memorial," he said.
"We didn't need the council involved and all this controversy.
"The truth has been hidden from us for 10 years.
"Members of Sinn Fein were here on Friday making speeches but we have been let down for 10 years."
Twenty-nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, were killed on August 15 1998 when a bomb exploded on a busy Saturday in Omagh streets packed with shoppers.
No-one has ever been brought to justice for what became the worst atrocity of the Troubles.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN10An/25
Published Date: 18-Aug-08
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