DEMOCRATIC UNIONISTS CALLS FOR DECOMMISSIONING
Democratic Unionists calls for decommissioning
THE West Tyrone Democratic Unionist Association said it was appalled by the 'horrific republican attack' on the people of Omagh.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Association said the cowardly nature of the pernicious act had been demonstrated by the choosing the soft targets of babies, children, women and tourists.
"The Association wish to extend their heart-felt sympathy to the family and friends of all who have been bereaved so deliberately and unexpectedly. We also would like to express our concern for the hundreds who have been injured, and pray that God will give them a good recovery," said the statement.
Praising the work of the medical and ambulance staff, RUC, other support services, and members of the public who acted promptly to help the injured and minimise the risk of death immediately following the incident, the Association paid particular tribute to the doctors, nurses and other staff at Tyrone County Hospital for their clinical expertise, which, it said, undoubtedly prevented an even higher death toll.
"We congratulate the County Hospital in the knowledge that medical experts throughout Ulster have recognised that their efficiency and expertise is second to none in the Province, and this is largely due to the calibre and attitude of the medical management and staff.
"We dread to contemplate how many more lives would have been lost if we had not had the hospital in Omagh," it added.
The Association went on to urge the Government to take immediate action to bring the terrorists to justice.
"Idle words, or a smoke screen of token arrests, to create the impression of action for a few days, will not satisfy the suffering and bereaved people of Omagh.
"Dr. Mowlam must realise that she and her Government are not blameless in the matter. Their legacy of the Belfast Agreement, with its planned release of hundreds of prisoners over the next weeks, will swell the ranks and improve the deadly 'expertise' of the IRA," the Association said.
The statement continued: "We believe, more firmly than ever, that neither terrorists nor their supporters should be allowed either on to the streets or into Government while their organisations still hold weapons and explosives with potential to repeat the Omagh atrocity. After all, democrats do not need arsenals."
The Association said peace had been promised, but the first act of 'peace' in the district had, in fact, been the greatest loss of life in Ulster in any incident over the last 30 years.
THE West Tyrone Democratic Unionist Association said it was appalled by the 'horrific republican attack' on the people of Omagh.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Association said the cowardly nature of the pernicious act had been demonstrated by the choosing the soft targets of babies, children, women and tourists.
"The Association wish to extend their heart-felt sympathy to the family and friends of all who have been bereaved so deliberately and unexpectedly. We also would like to express our concern for the hundreds who have been injured, and pray that God will give them a good recovery," said the statement.
Praising the work of the medical and ambulance staff, RUC, other support services, and members of the public who acted promptly to help the injured and minimise the risk of death immediately following the incident, the Association paid particular tribute to the doctors, nurses and other staff at Tyrone County Hospital for their clinical expertise, which, it said, undoubtedly prevented an even higher death toll.
"We congratulate the County Hospital in the knowledge that medical experts throughout Ulster have recognised that their efficiency and expertise is second to none in the Province, and this is largely due to the calibre and attitude of the medical management and staff.
"We dread to contemplate how many more lives would have been lost if we had not had the hospital in Omagh," it added.
The Association went on to urge the Government to take immediate action to bring the terrorists to justice.
"Idle words, or a smoke screen of token arrests, to create the impression of action for a few days, will not satisfy the suffering and bereaved people of Omagh.
"Dr. Mowlam must realise that she and her Government are not blameless in the matter. Their legacy of the Belfast Agreement, with its planned release of hundreds of prisoners over the next weeks, will swell the ranks and improve the deadly 'expertise' of the IRA," the Association said.
The statement continued: "We believe, more firmly than ever, that neither terrorists nor their supporters should be allowed either on to the streets or into Government while their organisations still hold weapons and explosives with potential to repeat the Omagh atrocity. After all, democrats do not need arsenals."
The Association said peace had been promised, but the first act of 'peace' in the district had, in fact, been the greatest loss of life in Ulster in any incident over the last 30 years.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0117
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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