THREE YEARS ON - VICTIMS REMEMBERED
Three years on - victims remembered
TUCKED discreetly to the rear of the many floral tributes to the dead of Omagh, laid in the Memorial Garden off Drumragh Avenue, lies a simple, unsigned arrangement in purple and white. It reads: "Let Peace be the Healer".
Succinctly, it encapsulates in five short words, what the hundreds of people who travelled into the town, for the third anniversary of the August 15 massacre prayed for as they stood in silent tribute to those who lost their lives three years ago.
Among those who made the journey to be with the bereaved were the Secretary of State, Mr. John Reid, the RUC chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and his Irish counterpart, Garda Commissioner, Mr. Pat Byrne.
In a 20-minute act of reflection, which began at lpm, hearts and minds were drawn back to August 15, 1998, when a car bomb detonated outside a drapery shop in Market Street, robbing life from men, women and children, including five young tourists from Buncrana and Spain, and a young mother of three, who was expecting twins. The pain of the loss their families have had to endure since, was palpable in the silence.
Drumragh Avenue was closed to traffic, and a small stage built at the entrance to the Memorial Garden was the focal point of the service, which began with an official welcome from Mrs. Elizabeth McSorley, head of corporate services at Omagh District Council.
Mrs. McSorley went on to thank those who had travelled to the town to show solidarity with the bereaved, injured and those who were still coming to terms with what had occurred.
She said the service was an opportunity for people to come together with words, music and prayer to remember those who died and were injured as a result of the attack on the town, and she began by asking those present to observe a minute's silence.
Two musical interludes were performed by Eoghan Doherty, playing haunting melodies on an oboe, and Jeanette Durin and Paul Mongan performed a duet on the violin and keyboard respectively.
Poetry
Poetry and readings were a special feature of the service, and included pieces by Nancy Elkin and Eamonn Duncan and "Lullaby for Rachael" by James Simmons, was read by Brian Kearns.
Mr. William Harper, principal of Omagh High School, where several of those who died had been educated, said: "Today we gather again around the memory of that darkest August day to support those torn apart in this place by history's voracious hatred, to be joined with one another, as we were then, in kindness and compassion; to draw near in God to those we have lost, and to know in our hearts that peace depends in part on each of us."
Introduced by the rector of the Church of Ireland, Rev. William Seale, Wendy McCay, who was injured in the bombing, read the first Scripture reading.
"Let the wilderness and dry-lands exult; let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, "Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God, he is coming to save you." Than the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer ad the tongues of the dumb sing for joy."
Introduced by Drumragh parish priest, Rev. Michael Keaveny, Paula Skelton, read the second lesson:
"Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is now God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you of little faith? So do not worry; 'do not say, "What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?" It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hears on His kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well."
The Lord's Prayer, spoken in English, Spanish and Irish, was led by Fr. Keaveny, Maria Boden and Pauline Breen, and Fr. Keaveny prayed for support and solace.
Following the service flowers on behalf of Omagh were laid by Mrs. McSorley, while one was laid in respect of the people of Buncrana and Spain by Mrs. Mary Gallagher, who travelled from Buncrana.
Family tributes were laid by relatives of those who died, and many of those who attended the service also laid bouquets.
Speaking afterwards, the RUC chief constable and Commissioner Byrne, reiterated the appeal earlier in the day at a press conference, for those with information about the bombing to have courage and come forward with it to allow police on both sides of the border to pursue the perpetrators of the bombing.
Both men stressed that they had travelled to Omagh to show solidarity with the bereaved and injured, and stressed that both the RUC and Gardai would continue the fight to bring the guilty to justice.
Meanwhile, those who were unable to attend Wednesday's service, will have an opportunity to attend an inter-denominational prayer service to be held on Saturday afternoon at 1.30pm at the Garden of Remembrance.
The service will be hosted by Pax Christi, the members of which have visited Omagh before to offer support to those still grieving for their loss.
It is open to people from all sections of the community, regardless of race or creed.
TUCKED discreetly to the rear of the many floral tributes to the dead of Omagh, laid in the Memorial Garden off Drumragh Avenue, lies a simple, unsigned arrangement in purple and white. It reads: "Let Peace be the Healer".
Succinctly, it encapsulates in five short words, what the hundreds of people who travelled into the town, for the third anniversary of the August 15 massacre prayed for as they stood in silent tribute to those who lost their lives three years ago.
Among those who made the journey to be with the bereaved were the Secretary of State, Mr. John Reid, the RUC chief constable, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, and his Irish counterpart, Garda Commissioner, Mr. Pat Byrne.
In a 20-minute act of reflection, which began at lpm, hearts and minds were drawn back to August 15, 1998, when a car bomb detonated outside a drapery shop in Market Street, robbing life from men, women and children, including five young tourists from Buncrana and Spain, and a young mother of three, who was expecting twins. The pain of the loss their families have had to endure since, was palpable in the silence.
Drumragh Avenue was closed to traffic, and a small stage built at the entrance to the Memorial Garden was the focal point of the service, which began with an official welcome from Mrs. Elizabeth McSorley, head of corporate services at Omagh District Council.
Mrs. McSorley went on to thank those who had travelled to the town to show solidarity with the bereaved, injured and those who were still coming to terms with what had occurred.
She said the service was an opportunity for people to come together with words, music and prayer to remember those who died and were injured as a result of the attack on the town, and she began by asking those present to observe a minute's silence.
Two musical interludes were performed by Eoghan Doherty, playing haunting melodies on an oboe, and Jeanette Durin and Paul Mongan performed a duet on the violin and keyboard respectively.
Poetry
Poetry and readings were a special feature of the service, and included pieces by Nancy Elkin and Eamonn Duncan and "Lullaby for Rachael" by James Simmons, was read by Brian Kearns.
Mr. William Harper, principal of Omagh High School, where several of those who died had been educated, said: "Today we gather again around the memory of that darkest August day to support those torn apart in this place by history's voracious hatred, to be joined with one another, as we were then, in kindness and compassion; to draw near in God to those we have lost, and to know in our hearts that peace depends in part on each of us."
Introduced by the rector of the Church of Ireland, Rev. William Seale, Wendy McCay, who was injured in the bombing, read the first Scripture reading.
"Let the wilderness and dry-lands exult; let the wasteland rejoice and bloom, let it bring forth flowers like the jonquil, let it rejoice and sing for joy. Strengthen all weary hands, steady all trembling knees and say to all faint hearts, "Courage! Do not be afraid. Look, your God is coming, vengeance is coming, the retribution of God, he is coming to save you." Than the eyes of the blind shall be opened, the ears of the deaf unsealed, then the lame shall leap like a deer ad the tongues of the dumb sing for joy."
Introduced by Drumragh parish priest, Rev. Michael Keaveny, Paula Skelton, read the second lesson:
"Think of the flowers growing in the fields; they never have to work or spin; yet I assure you that not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these. Now if that is now God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, will he not much more look after you, you of little faith? So do not worry; 'do not say, "What are we to eat? What are we to drink? How are we to be clothed?" It is the pagans who set their hearts on all these things. Your heavenly Father knows you need them all. Set your hears on His kingdom first, and on his righteousness, and all these other things will be given you as well."
The Lord's Prayer, spoken in English, Spanish and Irish, was led by Fr. Keaveny, Maria Boden and Pauline Breen, and Fr. Keaveny prayed for support and solace.
Following the service flowers on behalf of Omagh were laid by Mrs. McSorley, while one was laid in respect of the people of Buncrana and Spain by Mrs. Mary Gallagher, who travelled from Buncrana.
Family tributes were laid by relatives of those who died, and many of those who attended the service also laid bouquets.
Speaking afterwards, the RUC chief constable and Commissioner Byrne, reiterated the appeal earlier in the day at a press conference, for those with information about the bombing to have courage and come forward with it to allow police on both sides of the border to pursue the perpetrators of the bombing.
Both men stressed that they had travelled to Omagh to show solidarity with the bereaved and injured, and stressed that both the RUC and Gardai would continue the fight to bring the guilty to justice.
Meanwhile, those who were unable to attend Wednesday's service, will have an opportunity to attend an inter-denominational prayer service to be held on Saturday afternoon at 1.30pm at the Garden of Remembrance.
The service will be hosted by Pax Christi, the members of which have visited Omagh before to offer support to those still grieving for their loss.
It is open to people from all sections of the community, regardless of race or creed.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/0906
Published Date: 16-Aug-01
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