OMAGH CAN NEVER FORGET - BUT WON'T STAND STILL
Omagh can never forget - but won't stand still
by Stephen Kingon
Chairman NICC
LAST WEEK the Omagh bomb and the ensuing human carnage put the fragility of life into perspective. The town, stunned by the ferocity of the attack on its people and visitors, was unable to contemplate the future and a mood of disbelief and despair prevailed.
But at 3.10 pm on Saturday, when only the isolated cries of children and the occasional adult sob punctured Omagh's soundless sunshine- when you wondered just how 60,000 people could be so silent - the mood had changed.
In a remarkable act of solidarity, mirrored in high streets and churches throughout the Republic and further afield, the people of Northern Ireland reclaimed the commercial heart of each town and city. Traffic stopped, thousands left shops and pubs to stand silently in the rare summer sunshine and to participate in hastily organised, emotional acts of remembrance and solidarity.
Yesterday and today, tomorrow and for days and weeks and months into the future, Omagh will struggle to rebuild. But rebuild they will, for it is the only way forward. Rebuilding Omagh's economy is no stain on the memory of the dead nor any slight to those who will never work in it again. They will do it because, as business people and traders they can do nothing else and to do nothing is to admit that the terrorists have triumphed.
But Omagh is a watershed. What happened there and the reaction to it, has challenged the one fundamental analysis which lies at the heart of the terrorist cause. Any terror campaign dismisses the political option in favour of a rigid belief that violence is better. A conviction that if terrorism can triumph, the population will ultimately come to accept the outcome and by accepting the end, they will retrospectively justify the means.
That analysis has been challenged in the last week by the determination of the Irish and British governments and the people and politicians of Ireland to do whatever needs to be done to support the Agreement and the future political destiny of Northern Ireland.
That determination to challenge this terrorist analysis and to drive the Agreement forward should encourage the traders of Omagh as they set about rebuilding their town. Communities like Beragh and Loughmacrory and Carrickmore - hard hit in this last week - have looked to Omagh for jobs and economic opportunity. In the same way Northern Ireland's economy depends on Omagh and every other town and village which has suffered in the last 30 years.
As Omagh contemplates its future and the traders begin the first tentative steps towards the future, the will to make Omagh's loss mean something tangible for the future of Northern Ireland has never been stronger.
Perhaps this is really the watershed which will unite our communities and underpin the Assembly.
We should watch Omagh carefully, for the determination and unity of their traders, the council and their local politicians is already being harnessed for good. Omagh can never forget, but Omagh will certainly not stand still.
As the people of Omagh rebuild and move forward they should know that they have our support in whatever form that might be required.
by Stephen Kingon
Chairman NICC
LAST WEEK the Omagh bomb and the ensuing human carnage put the fragility of life into perspective. The town, stunned by the ferocity of the attack on its people and visitors, was unable to contemplate the future and a mood of disbelief and despair prevailed.
But at 3.10 pm on Saturday, when only the isolated cries of children and the occasional adult sob punctured Omagh's soundless sunshine- when you wondered just how 60,000 people could be so silent - the mood had changed.
In a remarkable act of solidarity, mirrored in high streets and churches throughout the Republic and further afield, the people of Northern Ireland reclaimed the commercial heart of each town and city. Traffic stopped, thousands left shops and pubs to stand silently in the rare summer sunshine and to participate in hastily organised, emotional acts of remembrance and solidarity.
Yesterday and today, tomorrow and for days and weeks and months into the future, Omagh will struggle to rebuild. But rebuild they will, for it is the only way forward. Rebuilding Omagh's economy is no stain on the memory of the dead nor any slight to those who will never work in it again. They will do it because, as business people and traders they can do nothing else and to do nothing is to admit that the terrorists have triumphed.
But Omagh is a watershed. What happened there and the reaction to it, has challenged the one fundamental analysis which lies at the heart of the terrorist cause. Any terror campaign dismisses the political option in favour of a rigid belief that violence is better. A conviction that if terrorism can triumph, the population will ultimately come to accept the outcome and by accepting the end, they will retrospectively justify the means.
That analysis has been challenged in the last week by the determination of the Irish and British governments and the people and politicians of Ireland to do whatever needs to be done to support the Agreement and the future political destiny of Northern Ireland.
That determination to challenge this terrorist analysis and to drive the Agreement forward should encourage the traders of Omagh as they set about rebuilding their town. Communities like Beragh and Loughmacrory and Carrickmore - hard hit in this last week - have looked to Omagh for jobs and economic opportunity. In the same way Northern Ireland's economy depends on Omagh and every other town and village which has suffered in the last 30 years.
As Omagh contemplates its future and the traders begin the first tentative steps towards the future, the will to make Omagh's loss mean something tangible for the future of Northern Ireland has never been stronger.
Perhaps this is really the watershed which will unite our communities and underpin the Assembly.
We should watch Omagh carefully, for the determination and unity of their traders, the council and their local politicians is already being harnessed for good. Omagh can never forget, but Omagh will certainly not stand still.
As the people of Omagh rebuild and move forward they should know that they have our support in whatever form that might be required.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/110
Published Date: 25-Aug-98
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