VICTIMS OF TERRORISM GROUP TO BE FORMED
Victims of terrorism group to be formed
A GROUP to represent the victims of terrorism in the Omagh and Strabane areas will be formed on Thursday, January 28 next at a meeting to be held in the Silverbirch Hotel. This was the result of a preliminary meeting, organised by Mr. Derek Reaney, development officer with Derry and Raphoe Action, which was held last Thursday.
Mr. Reaney said the meeting was well attended. Some of those who attended had lost loved ones or had been injured over 25 years ago, and also by people who had been bereaved more recently in the Omagh bomb.
The guest speaker was Mr. Brian McConnell, secretary of Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR), Armagh. It was established about a year ago and has a membership of 60 families in the South Armagh area.
Mr. McConnell told those present how the group was established and said that F.A.I.R. was interested in establishing a network of victims' groups who could work together and develop a stronger voice.
Mr. Reaney said a number of individuals spoke at the meeting highlighting some issues which they felt needed to be raised. He said the general view was that there was a real need for an organisation to raise their concerns and through getting together would give them a stronger voice and one the Government and the general public could not ignore.
Mr. Reaney thanked all who attended the meeting. He appreciated the difficulty some had in speaking about their loss, and for some it had been a big step to attend such a meeting.
He also thanked Mr. Brian McConnell and Mr. William Frazer, the vice chairman of F.A.I.R. for coming along and sharing their experience.
He hoped that many more would attend the next meeting enabling the group to have a strong base of support right across both council areas.
A GROUP to represent the victims of terrorism in the Omagh and Strabane areas will be formed on Thursday, January 28 next at a meeting to be held in the Silverbirch Hotel. This was the result of a preliminary meeting, organised by Mr. Derek Reaney, development officer with Derry and Raphoe Action, which was held last Thursday.
Mr. Reaney said the meeting was well attended. Some of those who attended had lost loved ones or had been injured over 25 years ago, and also by people who had been bereaved more recently in the Omagh bomb.
The guest speaker was Mr. Brian McConnell, secretary of Families Acting for Innocent Relatives (FAIR), Armagh. It was established about a year ago and has a membership of 60 families in the South Armagh area.
Mr. McConnell told those present how the group was established and said that F.A.I.R. was interested in establishing a network of victims' groups who could work together and develop a stronger voice.
Mr. Reaney said a number of individuals spoke at the meeting highlighting some issues which they felt needed to be raised. He said the general view was that there was a real need for an organisation to raise their concerns and through getting together would give them a stronger voice and one the Government and the general public could not ignore.
Mr. Reaney thanked all who attended the meeting. He appreciated the difficulty some had in speaking about their loss, and for some it had been a big step to attend such a meeting.
He also thanked Mr. Brian McConnell and Mr. William Frazer, the vice chairman of F.A.I.R. for coming along and sharing their experience.
He hoped that many more would attend the next meeting enabling the group to have a strong base of support right across both council areas.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0607
Published Date: 21-Jan-99
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