VICTIMS OF OMAGH BOMB REMEMBERED
Victims of Omagh bomb remembered
BY ALAN ERWIN
RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims stood yesterday in silent memory of those killed in the massacre - amid growing anxiety over next year's milestone anniversary.
Nine years after the August 1998 terrorist strike which left 29 dead, hundreds more injured and the Co Tyrone town devastated, the annual service drew together families, friends and representatives from three governments.
Spanish Consul General Dr Valdes and Irish junior Justice Minister Sean Power - whose countries both suffered losses in the atrocity - were among those who attended the interdenominational event at the Memorial- Garden just yards from the scene of the Real IRA bombing.
Omagh councillors and some of the families remain at odds over a proposed inscription on a memorial stone in a redesigned memorial garden, which was to declare the victims were murdered by dissident republicans.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the bombing, said last night: "We are concerned that our views are not going to be listened to, and we will not get the appropriate memorial created that the families feel comfortable with."
Despite his fears, Mr Gallagher said he was heartened by the turn-out for yesterday's service.
BY ALAN ERWIN
RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims stood yesterday in silent memory of those killed in the massacre - amid growing anxiety over next year's milestone anniversary.
Nine years after the August 1998 terrorist strike which left 29 dead, hundreds more injured and the Co Tyrone town devastated, the annual service drew together families, friends and representatives from three governments.
Spanish Consul General Dr Valdes and Irish junior Justice Minister Sean Power - whose countries both suffered losses in the atrocity - were among those who attended the interdenominational event at the Memorial- Garden just yards from the scene of the Real IRA bombing.
Omagh councillors and some of the families remain at odds over a proposed inscription on a memorial stone in a redesigned memorial garden, which was to declare the victims were murdered by dissident republicans.
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden died in the bombing, said last night: "We are concerned that our views are not going to be listened to, and we will not get the appropriate memorial created that the families feel comfortable with."
Despite his fears, Mr Gallagher said he was heartened by the turn-out for yesterday's service.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/700
Published Date: 13-Aug-07
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