COUNCIL ADJOURNS ITS MEETING IN SYMPATHY
Council adjourns its meeting in sympathy
OMAGH District Council adjourned its monthly meeting on Tuesday night as a mark of respect for all those who had been killed and injured in the Omagh bombing.
The move to adjourn for one week the council's first full meeting since the summer recess was proposed by Mr. Paddy McGowan, and seconded by Mrs. Ann Gormley.
Every member present offered their condolences to the bereaved, and sent good wishes for a speedy recovery to all who were wounded in the atrocity.
Tributes were paid to all the emergency services, police and Army, who assisted in the aftermath of the tragedy, as well as the general public who helped. And the clergy from all denominations who offered comfort to stricken relatives were thanked.
Appreciation and thanks were also extended to the council chief executive, Mr. John McKinney, and his staff, and councillors pledged to continue supporting those affected, including the traders.
Mr. Liam McQuaid, the leader of the SDLP grouping, said it would take a long time before the town would get over the tragedy.
And, commenting on the help given to those injured, he said: "For them to respond in such a short space of time is a magnificent tribute to the people of this town."
Mr. McQuaid went on to say that a lot of work needed to be done in the days and weeks ahead to support the bereaved and injured, and to help the town get back on its feel.
Offering condolences to the bereaved, Mr. Allan Rainey, vice-chairman, said he hoped they would find the "strength to look beyond the silent grave to the dawn of a glorious eternity".
He said those injured would bear the hallmarks of the atrocity that had been launched upon the town for a generation to come.
Mr. Paddy McGowan, independent, said there was nobody in Omagh who had not been affected in some way by the bombing.
'Inspiration'
He said he had met some of the young people who were injured in the Altnagelvin Hospital, and they showed no bitterness, just a desire to look to the future. He said they were an 'inspiration' to all.
Mrs. Ann Gormley, Alliance, said words could not adequately express what people felt about the bombing.
"It is time for action and it is the duty of the council to get the spirit back into the town of Omagh, and to continue to support the families of the bereaved and injured, bringing Omagh back to what it was three weeks ago," she said.
Mr. Johnny McLaughlin, Labour, said people were still suffering as a result of the bomb, but added: "The people of Omagh have got the guts, and they will rise again, although that may take some time."
Mr. Oliver Gibson, leader of the DUP grouping, said he believed the best case possible had been made to have the Tyrone County Hospital named as the seventh acute 'golden' hospital in Northern Ireland.
He said he was delighted to see shop owners and workers return to business last week, as it demonstrated the spirit of the Omagh people.
"The sooner we can get back to some kind of normality, the better for all," he said.
He added that the many expressions of sympathy from around the world, particularly from America, should be acknowledged.
And he added: "There should never have been a bomb in Omagh, and that has to he condemned by every right-thinking and normal person."
Mr. Mickey McAnespie, leader of the Sinn Fein grouping, said the many people of all persuasions he had seen in the leisure centre on the night of the bombing, wondering where their relatives were, was something he would never forget.
He said the tragedy was a terrible event, and paid tribute to all those who had helped out on the day.
Mr. Crawford McFarland, leader of the Ulster Unionist grouping, said that, despite all the evil that had been caused, there were many good and kind people.
"There are people who are trying to make things work in this country and help each other," he said.
Mr. Sean Clarke, chairman, added his condemnation to the atrocity, and informed members that North Down Borough Council had contacted him to let him know that it was organising a special concert in aid of the Omagh Memorial Fund.
OMAGH District Council adjourned its monthly meeting on Tuesday night as a mark of respect for all those who had been killed and injured in the Omagh bombing.
The move to adjourn for one week the council's first full meeting since the summer recess was proposed by Mr. Paddy McGowan, and seconded by Mrs. Ann Gormley.
Every member present offered their condolences to the bereaved, and sent good wishes for a speedy recovery to all who were wounded in the atrocity.
Tributes were paid to all the emergency services, police and Army, who assisted in the aftermath of the tragedy, as well as the general public who helped. And the clergy from all denominations who offered comfort to stricken relatives were thanked.
Appreciation and thanks were also extended to the council chief executive, Mr. John McKinney, and his staff, and councillors pledged to continue supporting those affected, including the traders.
Mr. Liam McQuaid, the leader of the SDLP grouping, said it would take a long time before the town would get over the tragedy.
And, commenting on the help given to those injured, he said: "For them to respond in such a short space of time is a magnificent tribute to the people of this town."
Mr. McQuaid went on to say that a lot of work needed to be done in the days and weeks ahead to support the bereaved and injured, and to help the town get back on its feel.
Offering condolences to the bereaved, Mr. Allan Rainey, vice-chairman, said he hoped they would find the "strength to look beyond the silent grave to the dawn of a glorious eternity".
He said those injured would bear the hallmarks of the atrocity that had been launched upon the town for a generation to come.
Mr. Paddy McGowan, independent, said there was nobody in Omagh who had not been affected in some way by the bombing.
'Inspiration'
He said he had met some of the young people who were injured in the Altnagelvin Hospital, and they showed no bitterness, just a desire to look to the future. He said they were an 'inspiration' to all.
Mrs. Ann Gormley, Alliance, said words could not adequately express what people felt about the bombing.
"It is time for action and it is the duty of the council to get the spirit back into the town of Omagh, and to continue to support the families of the bereaved and injured, bringing Omagh back to what it was three weeks ago," she said.
Mr. Johnny McLaughlin, Labour, said people were still suffering as a result of the bomb, but added: "The people of Omagh have got the guts, and they will rise again, although that may take some time."
Mr. Oliver Gibson, leader of the DUP grouping, said he believed the best case possible had been made to have the Tyrone County Hospital named as the seventh acute 'golden' hospital in Northern Ireland.
He said he was delighted to see shop owners and workers return to business last week, as it demonstrated the spirit of the Omagh people.
"The sooner we can get back to some kind of normality, the better for all," he said.
He added that the many expressions of sympathy from around the world, particularly from America, should be acknowledged.
And he added: "There should never have been a bomb in Omagh, and that has to he condemned by every right-thinking and normal person."
Mr. Mickey McAnespie, leader of the Sinn Fein grouping, said the many people of all persuasions he had seen in the leisure centre on the night of the bombing, wondering where their relatives were, was something he would never forget.
He said the tragedy was a terrible event, and paid tribute to all those who had helped out on the day.
Mr. Crawford McFarland, leader of the Ulster Unionist grouping, said that, despite all the evil that had been caused, there were many good and kind people.
"There are people who are trying to make things work in this country and help each other," he said.
Mr. Sean Clarke, chairman, added his condemnation to the atrocity, and informed members that North Down Borough Council had contacted him to let him know that it was organising a special concert in aid of the Omagh Memorial Fund.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0548
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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