NO ESCAPE FROM GOD'S RETRIBUTION FOR KILLERS
No escape from God's retribution for killers, Moderator tells mourners
A father and his son - both victims of the bomb which devastated Omagh town centre on Saturday - were laid to rest yesterday (Wednesday) at Old Drumragh graveyard in the town.
Fred White and his son, Bryan, from Knockgreenan Avenue, were laid to rest together, just as they had died together.
They were in a shop at Market Street when the massive car bomb exploded just yards away.
At the funeral service in Ballynahatty and Creevan Presbyterian Church, mourners heard the Presbyterian Moderator, Dr. John Dixon affirm his "utter support" for both Governments' declared intention of bringing the perpetrators of Saturday's attack to justice.
"I say further that such men of violence will have nowhere to hide before the judgement seat of Christ. One day, they too will die, and they will have no escape route from divine retribution," he said.
The Minister, Rev. Arthur O'Neill, said that Fred - treasurer to the Ballynahatty and Creevan ' congregation for 22 years - had been a man for whom church and community were important.
"Mixed in Fred were many Christian graces," he told mourners.
"He had goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness for others, and a great love of God and the things of God."
"He came from an old established farming community, but although brought up on a far, he found employment in the accounts section of the Western Education and Library Board," Mr. O'Neill said.
Won prizes
Among his interests was gardening and, in particular, daffodils, for which he often won prizes.
"But undoubtedly, the centre of Fred's life was his home. He and Edith, his wife, were inseparable," continued Mr. O'Neill.
"The family circle was as close-knit and loving as one could wish." he said
He described Bryan as "a worthy son" with a deep interest in horticulture, as his father had.
Bryan qualified as a horticulturalist, working for several years with Strabane District Council.
He had been due to take up a higher position with Omagh District Council this week, said Mr. O'Neill.
He went on: "Sadly, he will not now take that opportunity up.
"Also, like his father, he was a conscientious and committed member of this congregation.
"A keen photographer, he had a great love of the outdoor life and the Boys' Brigade, and was and officer with the 1st Omagh Company."
He told the packed congregation: "So here you see two men who had a great deal to offer, but not anymore. The wicked and the sinful have seen to that."
He said he felt many would think words were inadequate to express the shock and outrage which they felt.
"People from all denominations and political opinions, from ordinary, decent people in the street to the highest in the land,have voiced their utter condemnation and disgust at an act of mindless and senseless violence which has left 28 people dead and over 200 maimed and injured. We, too, lift our voices to condemn outright this awful outrage," said Mr. O'Neill.
"We speak today, not only for ourselves but for those who go to their graves and for those who lie maimed and injured in hospitals throughout the Province."
Mr.O'Neill also voiced his sympathy for the White family.
He said: "Our hearts go out today to all whom Fred and Bryan loved and cherished.
"In the past days, we have witnessed the anguish, bitter grief and hot tears of this family."
"We have seen them waiting, waiting and waiting through the long watches of the night, hoping,hoping and hoping against hope that with the coming of the dawn, word would come that Fred and Bryan were safe.
"It was not to be. The powers of evil and wickedness had done their worst."
In closing, Mr. O'Neill told mourners: "I began this sermon talking about comfort and consolation. I want to return to it now. In the Scripture we read that Christ, before he ascended, said to his followers, 'you have sorrow now, but I will come again and no-one will take your joy from you.'
Promise
"That was His promise, to come and be with His people. He is still here. May the family know his presence, peace and power, and may He be your comfort and strength in the day's ahead," he added.
The death of the popular father and son left a grieving mother and wife, Edith, and other members of the family, Stephen, Bobby and Betty.
Fred White had also been treasurer of the Omagh Ulster Unionist Association, member of the West Tyrone Ulster Unionist executive, and a member of the Province-wide Ulster Unionist Council.
The area's MP, Mr. William Thompson, paid tribute to Mr. White, describing him as a stalwart of the party.
He said he had known Mr. White for many years and valued his friendship. He extended his condolences to the family circle.
And Mr. Alastair J, Patterson, who was an Ulster Unionist candidate in the recent Assembly election, also paid tribute to Mr. White.
He said he had been supported and encouraged by him.
Mr. Patterson said he had been pleased to be with Fred White and his wife in Scotland on Friday, and enjoyed their company.
Mr. Patterson went on to condemn the bomb attack as "a slaughter of the innocents".
The bombers did not care who they killed, he said.
A father and his son - both victims of the bomb which devastated Omagh town centre on Saturday - were laid to rest yesterday (Wednesday) at Old Drumragh graveyard in the town.
Fred White and his son, Bryan, from Knockgreenan Avenue, were laid to rest together, just as they had died together.
They were in a shop at Market Street when the massive car bomb exploded just yards away.
At the funeral service in Ballynahatty and Creevan Presbyterian Church, mourners heard the Presbyterian Moderator, Dr. John Dixon affirm his "utter support" for both Governments' declared intention of bringing the perpetrators of Saturday's attack to justice.
"I say further that such men of violence will have nowhere to hide before the judgement seat of Christ. One day, they too will die, and they will have no escape route from divine retribution," he said.
The Minister, Rev. Arthur O'Neill, said that Fred - treasurer to the Ballynahatty and Creevan ' congregation for 22 years - had been a man for whom church and community were important.
"Mixed in Fred were many Christian graces," he told mourners.
"He had goodness, kindness, thoughtfulness for others, and a great love of God and the things of God."
"He came from an old established farming community, but although brought up on a far, he found employment in the accounts section of the Western Education and Library Board," Mr. O'Neill said.
Won prizes
Among his interests was gardening and, in particular, daffodils, for which he often won prizes.
"But undoubtedly, the centre of Fred's life was his home. He and Edith, his wife, were inseparable," continued Mr. O'Neill.
"The family circle was as close-knit and loving as one could wish." he said
He described Bryan as "a worthy son" with a deep interest in horticulture, as his father had.
Bryan qualified as a horticulturalist, working for several years with Strabane District Council.
He had been due to take up a higher position with Omagh District Council this week, said Mr. O'Neill.
He went on: "Sadly, he will not now take that opportunity up.
"Also, like his father, he was a conscientious and committed member of this congregation.
"A keen photographer, he had a great love of the outdoor life and the Boys' Brigade, and was and officer with the 1st Omagh Company."
He told the packed congregation: "So here you see two men who had a great deal to offer, but not anymore. The wicked and the sinful have seen to that."
He said he felt many would think words were inadequate to express the shock and outrage which they felt.
"People from all denominations and political opinions, from ordinary, decent people in the street to the highest in the land,have voiced their utter condemnation and disgust at an act of mindless and senseless violence which has left 28 people dead and over 200 maimed and injured. We, too, lift our voices to condemn outright this awful outrage," said Mr. O'Neill.
"We speak today, not only for ourselves but for those who go to their graves and for those who lie maimed and injured in hospitals throughout the Province."
Mr.O'Neill also voiced his sympathy for the White family.
He said: "Our hearts go out today to all whom Fred and Bryan loved and cherished.
"In the past days, we have witnessed the anguish, bitter grief and hot tears of this family."
"We have seen them waiting, waiting and waiting through the long watches of the night, hoping,hoping and hoping against hope that with the coming of the dawn, word would come that Fred and Bryan were safe.
"It was not to be. The powers of evil and wickedness had done their worst."
In closing, Mr. O'Neill told mourners: "I began this sermon talking about comfort and consolation. I want to return to it now. In the Scripture we read that Christ, before he ascended, said to his followers, 'you have sorrow now, but I will come again and no-one will take your joy from you.'
Promise
"That was His promise, to come and be with His people. He is still here. May the family know his presence, peace and power, and may He be your comfort and strength in the day's ahead," he added.
The death of the popular father and son left a grieving mother and wife, Edith, and other members of the family, Stephen, Bobby and Betty.
Fred White had also been treasurer of the Omagh Ulster Unionist Association, member of the West Tyrone Ulster Unionist executive, and a member of the Province-wide Ulster Unionist Council.
The area's MP, Mr. William Thompson, paid tribute to Mr. White, describing him as a stalwart of the party.
He said he had known Mr. White for many years and valued his friendship. He extended his condolences to the family circle.
And Mr. Alastair J, Patterson, who was an Ulster Unionist candidate in the recent Assembly election, also paid tribute to Mr. White.
He said he had been supported and encouraged by him.
Mr. Patterson said he had been pleased to be with Fred White and his wife in Scotland on Friday, and enjoyed their company.
Mr. Patterson went on to condemn the bomb attack as "a slaughter of the innocents".
The bombers did not care who they killed, he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0097
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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