WAITE LAUNCHES ONLINE BOMB ARCHIVE
Waite launches online bomb archive
BY ANNE PALMER
a.palmer@newsletter. co. uk
BIERUT hostage and Anglican church envoy Terry Waite has visited Ulster to formally launch a new digital archive on the Omagh bomb.
Almost 15 years to the day of his release from five years' captivity in Bierut, on November 18, 1991, the humanitarian leader and peace envoy arrived in Omagh, in a mark of solidarity for the people of Omagh.
Mr Waite was held by Islamic Jihad extremists who also captured other western hostages including Belfast's Brian Keenan and journalist John McCarthy.
The archive website was developed by the Western Education and Library Board's library service and Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Based on material stored at Omagh library, it includes items from over 10,500 news articles, 15,000 emails, 818 books of condolences and 3,000 floral tribute cards relating to the Real IRA car bomb atrocity in Omagh on August 15, 1998.
The bomb horror claimed the lives of 29 people and unborn twins and injured many other people.
Mr Waite said it is important for any community to have such a collection of information on events whether that may be happy or sad.
"These events enable us not only to remember the past but to have a more creative future for all.
"The Omagh archive will help people who have suffered much to do just that," he said.
Campaigner Michael Gallagher, Omagh Self Help and Support Group, lost his son Aiden in the bombing terror.
He said the archive is the first collaborative venture between the victims' group and a statutory body.
"We hope it will be beneficial to people in Omagh, and also nationally and internationally," he said.
Visit the website at www. omagharchive.co.uk.
BY ANNE PALMER
a.palmer@newsletter. co. uk
BIERUT hostage and Anglican church envoy Terry Waite has visited Ulster to formally launch a new digital archive on the Omagh bomb.
Almost 15 years to the day of his release from five years' captivity in Bierut, on November 18, 1991, the humanitarian leader and peace envoy arrived in Omagh, in a mark of solidarity for the people of Omagh.
Mr Waite was held by Islamic Jihad extremists who also captured other western hostages including Belfast's Brian Keenan and journalist John McCarthy.
The archive website was developed by the Western Education and Library Board's library service and Omagh Support and Self Help Group.
Based on material stored at Omagh library, it includes items from over 10,500 news articles, 15,000 emails, 818 books of condolences and 3,000 floral tribute cards relating to the Real IRA car bomb atrocity in Omagh on August 15, 1998.
The bomb horror claimed the lives of 29 people and unborn twins and injured many other people.
Mr Waite said it is important for any community to have such a collection of information on events whether that may be happy or sad.
"These events enable us not only to remember the past but to have a more creative future for all.
"The Omagh archive will help people who have suffered much to do just that," he said.
Campaigner Michael Gallagher, Omagh Self Help and Support Group, lost his son Aiden in the bombing terror.
He said the archive is the first collaborative venture between the victims' group and a statutory body.
"We hope it will be beneficial to people in Omagh, and also nationally and internationally," he said.
Visit the website at www. omagharchive.co.uk.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/673
Published Date: 17-Nov-06
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