OMAGH MEMORIAL PANEL TO DECIDE ON SUITABLE WORDING
Omagh memorial panel to decide on suitable wording
BY ANNE PALMER
a.palmer@newsletter.co.uk
A FORMER Moderator of the Presbyterian Church will form part of a trio who are trying to agree a non-contentious wording for the Omagh bomb memorial.
The Rev Dr John Dunlop is one of the independent facilitators who have been appointed in response to controversy over the possible wording for the memorial amidst concerns the truth would not be stated.
The 1998 Real IRA car bomb in the town's Market Street claimed 29 lives as well as two unborn twins and left hundreds of others injured and traumatised.
Mr Dunlop will be joined by Father Brian Lennon, Jesuit priest, founder member of the Interchurch Group on Faith and Politics and Olive Hobson, a peace-builder at Quaker House, Belfast.
Omagh District Council commissioned the memorial for next year's 10th anniversary of the explosion.
Michael Gallagher, chairman Omagh Self Help and Support Group, wants the narrative to state how many people died and that dissident republicans had detonated the bomb.
Mr Gallagher said: "We believe if there is going to be a memorial, the truth should be on that memorial. To fudge the issue is disrespectful to the people who died."
"We have no problem with the integrity and intent of the people selected but what we do question is the lack of consultation," he said.
"I can't understand why the truth is so difficult and why we have to commit a panel of facilitators to this or why Omagh Memorial Working Committee could not have made the decision. It is very tragic, the way things work out, but that's life," he said.
Laurence Rushe, who lost his wife Libby in the Omagh bomb, hit out over the memorial design competition and the costs.
He told the panel that he personally does not want to have the memorial in the place where his wife died.
Mrs Rushe ran a gift shop in Market Street and was working there on the day of the fatal explosion.
"I don't mind the garden of remembrance," he said.
"I'm going to be confronted here opposite the place where my wife was found dead, murdered, so I have those objections," he said.
"A more fitting memorial would be a bursary or scholarship something that is going to live on, something that is going to come out of a horrendous situation," he said.
Mr Dunlop acknowledged that the endeavour will take the team closer to the pain and the loss of Omagh. But he said it can only be done with help from bereaved and injured and people affected by the bomb.
"Our aim will be to produce a narrative that everyone can support, so that on the 10th anniversary of the bomb on August 15 next year when the memorial is dedicated, the unity, faith and hope of the people of Omagh, standing together, will be the most eloquent, powerful and enduring response to those who planted the bomb," he said.
The team will submit a final report with recommendations by the end of February.
Newspaper advertisements will be placed next week soliciting responses.
Danny McSorley, chairman Omagh Memorial Working Group said they had no pre-determined outcome in mind.
"It is our sincere wish to ensure that all those affected by the atrocity have the opportunity to contribute and discuss their views."
BY ANNE PALMER
a.palmer@newsletter.co.uk
A FORMER Moderator of the Presbyterian Church will form part of a trio who are trying to agree a non-contentious wording for the Omagh bomb memorial.
The Rev Dr John Dunlop is one of the independent facilitators who have been appointed in response to controversy over the possible wording for the memorial amidst concerns the truth would not be stated.
The 1998 Real IRA car bomb in the town's Market Street claimed 29 lives as well as two unborn twins and left hundreds of others injured and traumatised.
Mr Dunlop will be joined by Father Brian Lennon, Jesuit priest, founder member of the Interchurch Group on Faith and Politics and Olive Hobson, a peace-builder at Quaker House, Belfast.
Omagh District Council commissioned the memorial for next year's 10th anniversary of the explosion.
Michael Gallagher, chairman Omagh Self Help and Support Group, wants the narrative to state how many people died and that dissident republicans had detonated the bomb.
Mr Gallagher said: "We believe if there is going to be a memorial, the truth should be on that memorial. To fudge the issue is disrespectful to the people who died."
"We have no problem with the integrity and intent of the people selected but what we do question is the lack of consultation," he said.
"I can't understand why the truth is so difficult and why we have to commit a panel of facilitators to this or why Omagh Memorial Working Committee could not have made the decision. It is very tragic, the way things work out, but that's life," he said.
Laurence Rushe, who lost his wife Libby in the Omagh bomb, hit out over the memorial design competition and the costs.
He told the panel that he personally does not want to have the memorial in the place where his wife died.
Mrs Rushe ran a gift shop in Market Street and was working there on the day of the fatal explosion.
"I don't mind the garden of remembrance," he said.
"I'm going to be confronted here opposite the place where my wife was found dead, murdered, so I have those objections," he said.
"A more fitting memorial would be a bursary or scholarship something that is going to live on, something that is going to come out of a horrendous situation," he said.
Mr Dunlop acknowledged that the endeavour will take the team closer to the pain and the loss of Omagh. But he said it can only be done with help from bereaved and injured and people affected by the bomb.
"Our aim will be to produce a narrative that everyone can support, so that on the 10th anniversary of the bomb on August 15 next year when the memorial is dedicated, the unity, faith and hope of the people of Omagh, standing together, will be the most eloquent, powerful and enduring response to those who planted the bomb," he said.
The team will submit a final report with recommendations by the end of February.
Newspaper advertisements will be placed next week soliciting responses.
Danny McSorley, chairman Omagh Memorial Working Group said they had no pre-determined outcome in mind.
"It is our sincere wish to ensure that all those affected by the atrocity have the opportunity to contribute and discuss their views."
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/703
Published Date: 31-Oct-07
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