RELATIVES CONFRONT MACKEY
Relatives confront Mackey
RELATIVES of Omagh bomb victims held a candlelit vigil at a London pub last night, in a bid to halt a fund-raiser for a group widely viewed as the Real IRA's political wing. And they came face to face with Francis Mackey, the controversial republican councillor from their home town.
The Cock Tavern in Euston was the venue for the meeting, involving a branch of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and supporters of a Kurdish terror group. About a dozen relatives from the Omagh Victims' Legal Action Group handed in a letter to pub management reading:
"For the sake of the dead, and to safeguard the living, please honour our vigil by stopping this fundraising now."
There were highly charged scenes inside the bar, after the relatives entered carrying placards.
To gasps of astonishment, Francis Mackey walked down the stairs from the first floor room where the meeting was taking place.
Protesters described him as the chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and challenged him in front of pub customers to condemn the Omagh bomb. Mr Mackey, who was accompanied by two men, said he was committed to finding a peaceful solution to the troubles.
There was an emotional outburst after the councillor had spoken to the relatives and returned to the function.
A tearful Donna-Maria Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was killed in the blast, told a silent pub: "These people killed my beautiful boy. I feel so angry." Police officers arrived at the premises and discussed the situation with management.
Outside, Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was killed, said "I was totally amazed to see Francis Mackey walking down the stairs here in London.
"I asked him to condemn the Omagh bomb and support the police investigation but he refused.
"I think we have made our point here tonight. We have alerted the local community and the public at large to what is happening in this area - these people are actively fundraising and will even go to places they see as bombing targets."
RELATIVES of Omagh bomb victims held a candlelit vigil at a London pub last night, in a bid to halt a fund-raiser for a group widely viewed as the Real IRA's political wing. And they came face to face with Francis Mackey, the controversial republican councillor from their home town.
The Cock Tavern in Euston was the venue for the meeting, involving a branch of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and supporters of a Kurdish terror group. About a dozen relatives from the Omagh Victims' Legal Action Group handed in a letter to pub management reading:
"For the sake of the dead, and to safeguard the living, please honour our vigil by stopping this fundraising now."
There were highly charged scenes inside the bar, after the relatives entered carrying placards.
To gasps of astonishment, Francis Mackey walked down the stairs from the first floor room where the meeting was taking place.
Protesters described him as the chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement and challenged him in front of pub customers to condemn the Omagh bomb. Mr Mackey, who was accompanied by two men, said he was committed to finding a peaceful solution to the troubles.
There was an emotional outburst after the councillor had spoken to the relatives and returned to the function.
A tearful Donna-Maria Barker, whose 12-year-old son James was killed in the blast, told a silent pub: "These people killed my beautiful boy. I feel so angry." Police officers arrived at the premises and discussed the situation with management.
Outside, Michael Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son Adrian was killed, said "I was totally amazed to see Francis Mackey walking down the stairs here in London.
"I asked him to condemn the Omagh bomb and support the police investigation but he refused.
"I think we have made our point here tonight. We have alerted the local community and the public at large to what is happening in this area - these people are actively fundraising and will even go to places they see as bombing targets."
Further Information
Publisher: SUNDAY LIFE
Ref: SL/113
Published Date: 26-Nov-00
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