FITTING MEMORIAL TO OMAGH'S DEAD
Fitting memorial to Omagh's dead
Suggestions from civic and business leaders in Omagh that the centre of the shattered Co Tyrone town should be rebuilt as soon as possible and that, where possible, traders are encouraged to resume trading immediately, should be backed by the Northern Ireland Office in the form of substantial emergency financial aid.
The best memorial that can be erected in Omagh to the 28 innocent people who so tragically lost their lives last Saturday is an ultra-modern commercial centre which will again reflect the heartbeat of this enterprising market town.
It may be important to change the design and the infrastructure of the town centre so as to put behind the dreadful memories of the bomb explosion. But care must also be taken not to upset the traditional shopping habits and social pursuits of a community that is essentially rural-based, and quietly conservative in taste and outlook.
With the deep sense of mourning centred around so many funerals, little or no trade was done in Omagh this week. However, life must continue, and the move back to some semblance of normality will surely be accelerated by the surviving shops and businesses in the zone affected by the bomb opening for business today or on Monday morning.
Nothing may ever remove the personal and psychological scars of the scores of people still detained in hospital with serious injuries from the explosion, or the pain and anguish of families left to grieve over the loss of loved ones.
But a start has got to be made to regain normality and this gradual process will be given impetus if the people of Omagh continue to speak and act in unison, as they have done since the forces of evil invaded their town last Saturday.
This afternoon, they will come together in their town centre for an appropriate act of prayer and reflection on the events of the past week, and with communities right across this Province joining in similar acts of remembrance and solemnity, they should be comforted by the overwhelming expression of solidarity and understanding by people of all religious and political persuasions.
Governments in London and Dublin will decide on the security and political solutions needed to try to prevent another Omagh massacre, but the various measures implemented will only be successful if they embrace a clear and unequivocal message to those who, in any shape or form, plan, execute and seek to justify murder and mayhem.
Vile acts of barbarity and inhumanity cannot be tolerated in any democratic civilised society and, no matter what spurious excuses are made on behalf of the evil scoundrels who masquerade as patriots in their attacks on person and property, the full rigour of the law and the courts has got to be heavily rained against them.
Suggestions from civic and business leaders in Omagh that the centre of the shattered Co Tyrone town should be rebuilt as soon as possible and that, where possible, traders are encouraged to resume trading immediately, should be backed by the Northern Ireland Office in the form of substantial emergency financial aid.
The best memorial that can be erected in Omagh to the 28 innocent people who so tragically lost their lives last Saturday is an ultra-modern commercial centre which will again reflect the heartbeat of this enterprising market town.
It may be important to change the design and the infrastructure of the town centre so as to put behind the dreadful memories of the bomb explosion. But care must also be taken not to upset the traditional shopping habits and social pursuits of a community that is essentially rural-based, and quietly conservative in taste and outlook.
With the deep sense of mourning centred around so many funerals, little or no trade was done in Omagh this week. However, life must continue, and the move back to some semblance of normality will surely be accelerated by the surviving shops and businesses in the zone affected by the bomb opening for business today or on Monday morning.
Nothing may ever remove the personal and psychological scars of the scores of people still detained in hospital with serious injuries from the explosion, or the pain and anguish of families left to grieve over the loss of loved ones.
But a start has got to be made to regain normality and this gradual process will be given impetus if the people of Omagh continue to speak and act in unison, as they have done since the forces of evil invaded their town last Saturday.
This afternoon, they will come together in their town centre for an appropriate act of prayer and reflection on the events of the past week, and with communities right across this Province joining in similar acts of remembrance and solemnity, they should be comforted by the overwhelming expression of solidarity and understanding by people of all religious and political persuasions.
Governments in London and Dublin will decide on the security and political solutions needed to try to prevent another Omagh massacre, but the various measures implemented will only be successful if they embrace a clear and unequivocal message to those who, in any shape or form, plan, execute and seek to justify murder and mayhem.
Vile acts of barbarity and inhumanity cannot be tolerated in any democratic civilised society and, no matter what spurious excuses are made on behalf of the evil scoundrels who masquerade as patriots in their attacks on person and property, the full rigour of the law and the courts has got to be heavily rained against them.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/085
Published Date: 22-Aug-98
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