ASSEMBLYMAN CHALLENGES SINN FIEN TO NAME THE OMAH BOMBERS
Assemblyman challenges Sinn Fein to name the Omagh bombers.
Opening the debate, West Tyrone UUP Assemblyman, Mr. Derek Hussey quoted the words of one of those injured in the blast who said: The devil visited Omagh."
"The blast on August 15th was the deadliest tragedy witnessed in 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland," he said.
Asking for the names of the 29 who died, to be recorded in the minutes, Mr. Hussey said he was certain the assembly would join with him to reiterate and record sincere sympathy and condolence to all who had lost loved ones, and would think of all still recovering from injuries.
Although he now lives in Castlederg, Mr. Hussey was brought up in Omagh and said it was his home for the first half of his life.
He told the Assembly: "Omagh is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone else, and where people get on well with each other. That is not to say it hasn't had its share of bombings and murders over this last 30 years. In spite of this, good relations have generally prevailed in Omagh.
"Bombs do not discriminate. This explosion has left 29 people dead, not forgetting the unborn, and hundreds of injured, regardless of age, creed, class or country of origin."
"This evil, indiscriminate, act has left so many homes throughout Tyrone and beyond shrouded in sorrow and despair. The heartache of those grieving for lost family members and friends, the pain of those sitting by bedsides of the injured, praying for the best: the trauma of those who were involved in rescue attempts has been felt by many thousands more who were not directly affected."
Task force
Mr. Hussey went on: "I welcome the fact that a task force has been brought together to deal with the tremendous scale of trauma among those who have survived. The ramifications of this atrocity will be with is all for a long time to come, and it is vital that everything possible is done to cushion, in as far as possible, the ongoing difficulties that will have to be faced by so many.
But Mr. Hussey said he had no doubt it was the intention of the so called Real IRA to kill and maim as many ordinary people as possible, given the nature of their warnings.
"To plant a bomb in such an area, on a busy shopping day, during the school holidays and timed to explode just prior to a community event speaks for itself," he said.
"How can anyone understand the mind that can contemplate, much less carry out, such an action. Such are beyond the comprehension of normal, civilised society, and do not deserve to be part of it.
"They have claimed their so called warnings were not properly passed on. Such a despicable attempt to transfer blame adds insult to the pain and misery they have already created."
"I trust that the entire chamber will join with me in expressing our disgust and unequivocal condemnation of those who carried out this outrage."
In what was clear reference to Sinn Fein, he went on: "I must add, that there are those in this Chamber who know who these people are, and they should be sharing such knowledge with the authorities, north or south, to assist the apprehension of those responsible."
He quoted Sinn Fein leader, Mr. Gerry Adams, who said his party believed the violence must be a thing of the past.
Mr. Hussy said he asked the simple question "is it?"
Other Tragedies
And he said that while the Assembly was considering the Omagh atrocity, it should not forget the many other tragedies, whether individual murders or atrocities, which had resulted in deaths and had plagues Northern Ireland for so long - none more so that the town of Castlederg.
"If violence is now to be a thing of the past, what need is there to maintain these arsenals? The former leader of the Real IRA, a former Provo quartermaster, surly knows were supplies are held, and there-fore had access to such materials. These materials were used in the Omagh bomb and indeed in others over this past few months," Mr. Hussey said.
"The potential for another Omagh must be removed. This is the overwhelming public expectation, and, for me, it is the political imperative if we are to advance the return of right and proper powers to Northern Ireland's own elected representatives."
Mr. Hussey said he welcomed the new anti-terror legislation north and south, but said he was disappointed at the British Government's failure to match the capacity for interment which existed in the Republic.
Said Mr. Hussey: "The after effects of this act of depravity will remain with all for a long time to come and will require long-term commitment from medical and trauma care specialists."
"Every assistance was promised by the Secretary of State, but I am given to understand that so far no extra medical staff have been committed to the Omagh area to ease the tremendous burden still being carried by doctors and nurses."
"There are also concerns being expressed by those bringing injured family members back home of red tape holding up changes necessary to adapt homes for the needs of those injured,"
He also said the wishes of the people of Omagh must be fully considered by those responsible for the rebuilding of the lower Market Street area.
He said that while there had been some scepticism about visits to the town by dignitaries, they had given welcome support to those bereaved and those injured.
"It is surly the wish of all of us that the bomb in Omagh is the last that we have to endure in Northern Ireland, that violence will no longer haunt our land again. Therein would be a lasting memorial to the death, heartache, pain and trauma, created by evil in Omagh," he said.
Opening the debate, West Tyrone UUP Assemblyman, Mr. Derek Hussey quoted the words of one of those injured in the blast who said: The devil visited Omagh."
"The blast on August 15th was the deadliest tragedy witnessed in 30 years of conflict in Northern Ireland," he said.
Asking for the names of the 29 who died, to be recorded in the minutes, Mr. Hussey said he was certain the assembly would join with him to reiterate and record sincere sympathy and condolence to all who had lost loved ones, and would think of all still recovering from injuries.
Although he now lives in Castlederg, Mr. Hussey was brought up in Omagh and said it was his home for the first half of his life.
He told the Assembly: "Omagh is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone else, and where people get on well with each other. That is not to say it hasn't had its share of bombings and murders over this last 30 years. In spite of this, good relations have generally prevailed in Omagh.
"Bombs do not discriminate. This explosion has left 29 people dead, not forgetting the unborn, and hundreds of injured, regardless of age, creed, class or country of origin."
"This evil, indiscriminate, act has left so many homes throughout Tyrone and beyond shrouded in sorrow and despair. The heartache of those grieving for lost family members and friends, the pain of those sitting by bedsides of the injured, praying for the best: the trauma of those who were involved in rescue attempts has been felt by many thousands more who were not directly affected."
Task force
Mr. Hussey went on: "I welcome the fact that a task force has been brought together to deal with the tremendous scale of trauma among those who have survived. The ramifications of this atrocity will be with is all for a long time to come, and it is vital that everything possible is done to cushion, in as far as possible, the ongoing difficulties that will have to be faced by so many.
But Mr. Hussey said he had no doubt it was the intention of the so called Real IRA to kill and maim as many ordinary people as possible, given the nature of their warnings.
"To plant a bomb in such an area, on a busy shopping day, during the school holidays and timed to explode just prior to a community event speaks for itself," he said.
"How can anyone understand the mind that can contemplate, much less carry out, such an action. Such are beyond the comprehension of normal, civilised society, and do not deserve to be part of it.
"They have claimed their so called warnings were not properly passed on. Such a despicable attempt to transfer blame adds insult to the pain and misery they have already created."
"I trust that the entire chamber will join with me in expressing our disgust and unequivocal condemnation of those who carried out this outrage."
In what was clear reference to Sinn Fein, he went on: "I must add, that there are those in this Chamber who know who these people are, and they should be sharing such knowledge with the authorities, north or south, to assist the apprehension of those responsible."
He quoted Sinn Fein leader, Mr. Gerry Adams, who said his party believed the violence must be a thing of the past.
Mr. Hussy said he asked the simple question "is it?"
Other Tragedies
And he said that while the Assembly was considering the Omagh atrocity, it should not forget the many other tragedies, whether individual murders or atrocities, which had resulted in deaths and had plagues Northern Ireland for so long - none more so that the town of Castlederg.
"If violence is now to be a thing of the past, what need is there to maintain these arsenals? The former leader of the Real IRA, a former Provo quartermaster, surly knows were supplies are held, and there-fore had access to such materials. These materials were used in the Omagh bomb and indeed in others over this past few months," Mr. Hussey said.
"The potential for another Omagh must be removed. This is the overwhelming public expectation, and, for me, it is the political imperative if we are to advance the return of right and proper powers to Northern Ireland's own elected representatives."
Mr. Hussey said he welcomed the new anti-terror legislation north and south, but said he was disappointed at the British Government's failure to match the capacity for interment which existed in the Republic.
Said Mr. Hussey: "The after effects of this act of depravity will remain with all for a long time to come and will require long-term commitment from medical and trauma care specialists."
"Every assistance was promised by the Secretary of State, but I am given to understand that so far no extra medical staff have been committed to the Omagh area to ease the tremendous burden still being carried by doctors and nurses."
"There are also concerns being expressed by those bringing injured family members back home of red tape holding up changes necessary to adapt homes for the needs of those injured,"
He also said the wishes of the people of Omagh must be fully considered by those responsible for the rebuilding of the lower Market Street area.
He said that while there had been some scepticism about visits to the town by dignitaries, they had given welcome support to those bereaved and those injured.
"It is surly the wish of all of us that the bomb in Omagh is the last that we have to endure in Northern Ireland, that violence will no longer haunt our land again. Therein would be a lasting memorial to the death, heartache, pain and trauma, created by evil in Omagh," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1207
Published Date: 17-Sep-98
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