VICTIMS REMEMBERED AS POIGNANT PROCESSION MADE ITS WAY TO HOSPITAL
Victims remembered as poignant procession made its way to hospital
THE victims of the Omagh bomb on August 15 were remembered at a poignant prayer walk, 'The Way of the Cross', in the town centre on Sunday afternoon.
Around 500 people, including relatives of the dead, were among those who walked along the route from Market Street to Tyrone County Hospital that was taken by emergency services staff and civilians who helped the injured and dying on that fateful day.
During the emotional event, they carried crosses to the hospital, and roses were left at the hospital grounds in memory of those who perished. Twenty-nine red roses were placed for the adults and children that were killed, and two yellow roses were placed in memory of the unborn twins which were due to be born to Mrs. Avril Monaghan, and died along with their mother.
One large cross, brought to Omagh by a prayer group from Drogheda, was carried along the route by bus and taxi staff, representatives from the ambulance service, Fire Brigade, RUC and Army, staff from Omagh District Council, members of the prayer group and the voluntary services, representatives of the social services, nurses and doctors, and on the final approach to the hospital, by relatives of the dead including victims' relatives from Buncrana.
The solemn march included prayers at the scene of the bombing and at the hospital grounds. Praise was led by St. Eugene's Band and Mrs. Margaret Mitchell led the singing.
At the outset, the welcome was by Rev Peter Good, Methodist minister, and the Reflection was by Fr. Michael Keaveney, parish priest.
Scripture readings were by Pat Butterly, from Drogheda, who was one of the main organisers, Rev. Derek Quinn, Cappagh Parish Church, and Rosemary Clements, and the hymn. "Christ Be Beside Me" was sung.
The hymns "Jesus, Remember Me" and "He is Lord" were sung by the members of the Youth Group from the Sacred Heart Church in Omagh.
At the grounds of Tyrone County Hospital prayers were said by Canon Charles Leeke, rector of St. Columba's Parish Church, Omagh, members of the Tara Centre, Campsie, Omagh, Dr. Brendan McCarthy of Omagh Community Church, and Rev. Ruth Adams, St. Columba's Parish Church.
The hymn 'How Great Thou Art' was sung, and the Lord's Prayer and the Grace were said by Mr. Good and Fr. Keaveney and Fr. Paddy Keary, of Holy Trinity Church. Drogheda.
Rev. Kevin Mullan, who also attended the service, said it had been an opportunity for people to remind the bereaved that they had not been forgotten, as well as an opportunity to share the deep feelings of pain that still existed.
He said people who took part had felt "lifted up and carried along" by the service, and, reflecting on it personally, he said he felt it had brought out the depth of generosity and kindness in the community and beyond.
Fr. Mullan said he felt the timing of the outdoor prayer service was appropriate in that it was half way between the atrocity and Christmas, and also fell during the same month as Remembrance Sunday.
"There was a great sense of silence, which was only broken by the singing by the Youth Group, and overall there was a feeling that it would help people," he said.
Fr. Mullan added that those involved in organising the event were grateful to the police for coordinating traffic, and closing off Campsie Road for half an hour so that the procession could make its way to the hospital grounds.
THE victims of the Omagh bomb on August 15 were remembered at a poignant prayer walk, 'The Way of the Cross', in the town centre on Sunday afternoon.
Around 500 people, including relatives of the dead, were among those who walked along the route from Market Street to Tyrone County Hospital that was taken by emergency services staff and civilians who helped the injured and dying on that fateful day.
During the emotional event, they carried crosses to the hospital, and roses were left at the hospital grounds in memory of those who perished. Twenty-nine red roses were placed for the adults and children that were killed, and two yellow roses were placed in memory of the unborn twins which were due to be born to Mrs. Avril Monaghan, and died along with their mother.
One large cross, brought to Omagh by a prayer group from Drogheda, was carried along the route by bus and taxi staff, representatives from the ambulance service, Fire Brigade, RUC and Army, staff from Omagh District Council, members of the prayer group and the voluntary services, representatives of the social services, nurses and doctors, and on the final approach to the hospital, by relatives of the dead including victims' relatives from Buncrana.
The solemn march included prayers at the scene of the bombing and at the hospital grounds. Praise was led by St. Eugene's Band and Mrs. Margaret Mitchell led the singing.
At the outset, the welcome was by Rev Peter Good, Methodist minister, and the Reflection was by Fr. Michael Keaveney, parish priest.
Scripture readings were by Pat Butterly, from Drogheda, who was one of the main organisers, Rev. Derek Quinn, Cappagh Parish Church, and Rosemary Clements, and the hymn. "Christ Be Beside Me" was sung.
The hymns "Jesus, Remember Me" and "He is Lord" were sung by the members of the Youth Group from the Sacred Heart Church in Omagh.
At the grounds of Tyrone County Hospital prayers were said by Canon Charles Leeke, rector of St. Columba's Parish Church, Omagh, members of the Tara Centre, Campsie, Omagh, Dr. Brendan McCarthy of Omagh Community Church, and Rev. Ruth Adams, St. Columba's Parish Church.
The hymn 'How Great Thou Art' was sung, and the Lord's Prayer and the Grace were said by Mr. Good and Fr. Keaveney and Fr. Paddy Keary, of Holy Trinity Church. Drogheda.
Rev. Kevin Mullan, who also attended the service, said it had been an opportunity for people to remind the bereaved that they had not been forgotten, as well as an opportunity to share the deep feelings of pain that still existed.
He said people who took part had felt "lifted up and carried along" by the service, and, reflecting on it personally, he said he felt it had brought out the depth of generosity and kindness in the community and beyond.
Fr. Mullan said he felt the timing of the outdoor prayer service was appropriate in that it was half way between the atrocity and Christmas, and also fell during the same month as Remembrance Sunday.
"There was a great sense of silence, which was only broken by the singing by the Youth Group, and overall there was a feeling that it would help people," he said.
Fr. Mullan added that those involved in organising the event were grateful to the police for coordinating traffic, and closing off Campsie Road for half an hour so that the procession could make its way to the hospital grounds.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0748
Published Date: 05-Nov-98
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