SPANISH STUDENTS STAY OUT OF ULSTER
Spanish students 'stay out' of Ulster
By IAN STARRETT
SPANISH students visiting Buncrana are to stay away from Northern Ireland.
The students have returned to Buncrana to attend an annual summer exchange language programme in the Donegal resort even though two of their party - student Fernando Blasco Baselga and tutor Rocio Abad Ramos -lost their lives in last August's Real IRA bombing atrocity in Omagh.
They were killed when they crossed the border into Northern Ireland for a day trip to the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh.
Buncrana schoolchildren Shaun McLaughlin and Oran Doherty and James Barker, who lived in Buncrana but who attended Foyle and Londonderry College, were also killed in Northern Ireland's worst terrorist atrocity which claimed 29 lives and maimed scores more.
Ninety Spanish students have arrived in Buncrana but this year there will be no cross-border day trips to the Province for them.
Buncrana priest Father Shane Bradley, who officiated at last year's funerals after the Omagh massacre, said yesterday the decision had been taken to reassure their parents back in Spain.
Fr Bradley said: "I find it an understandable decision, regrettable though it is. If we put ourselves in their shoes and if we were visiting a country and there was a terrorist attack would we be likely to go back?
"I think they have shown great courage in coming back in the first place, especially the leaders and organisers."
The Spanish students, tutors, host families and friends will all attend a special anniversary service being planned in Buncrana to mark the first anniversary of the Omagh bombing.
Jim Sheridan, who is both chairman of the Buncrana-Omagh Memorial Fund and vice chairman of Buncrana District Council, has suggested that the Council provides a memorial to those who died in Omagh by erecting a peace symbol in the Donegal resort's Swan Park.
Councillor Rosemary Dunne has suggested that Buncrana's Victoria Bridge, which is currently being reconstructed, could be renamed with the theme of peace.
Mrs Dunne said she was pleased that "an act of barbarism by a very few" had not broken the bonds of trust and friendship which had been built up between Buncrana and Spain over the past 10 years.
Buncrana Council is to host a reception for the 90 Spanish students who have returned to the shores of Lough Swilly.
By IAN STARRETT
SPANISH students visiting Buncrana are to stay away from Northern Ireland.
The students have returned to Buncrana to attend an annual summer exchange language programme in the Donegal resort even though two of their party - student Fernando Blasco Baselga and tutor Rocio Abad Ramos -lost their lives in last August's Real IRA bombing atrocity in Omagh.
They were killed when they crossed the border into Northern Ireland for a day trip to the Ulster American Folk Park near Omagh.
Buncrana schoolchildren Shaun McLaughlin and Oran Doherty and James Barker, who lived in Buncrana but who attended Foyle and Londonderry College, were also killed in Northern Ireland's worst terrorist atrocity which claimed 29 lives and maimed scores more.
Ninety Spanish students have arrived in Buncrana but this year there will be no cross-border day trips to the Province for them.
Buncrana priest Father Shane Bradley, who officiated at last year's funerals after the Omagh massacre, said yesterday the decision had been taken to reassure their parents back in Spain.
Fr Bradley said: "I find it an understandable decision, regrettable though it is. If we put ourselves in their shoes and if we were visiting a country and there was a terrorist attack would we be likely to go back?
"I think they have shown great courage in coming back in the first place, especially the leaders and organisers."
The Spanish students, tutors, host families and friends will all attend a special anniversary service being planned in Buncrana to mark the first anniversary of the Omagh bombing.
Jim Sheridan, who is both chairman of the Buncrana-Omagh Memorial Fund and vice chairman of Buncrana District Council, has suggested that the Council provides a memorial to those who died in Omagh by erecting a peace symbol in the Donegal resort's Swan Park.
Councillor Rosemary Dunne has suggested that Buncrana's Victoria Bridge, which is currently being reconstructed, could be renamed with the theme of peace.
Mrs Dunne said she was pleased that "an act of barbarism by a very few" had not broken the bonds of trust and friendship which had been built up between Buncrana and Spain over the past 10 years.
Buncrana Council is to host a reception for the 90 Spanish students who have returned to the shores of Lough Swilly.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/222
Published Date: 26-Jul-99
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