ASSEMBLY TOLD OF DIGNITY OF OMAGH PEOPLE AFTER BLAST
Assembly told of dignity of Omagh people after blast
THE dignity with which those bereaved and injured in the Omagh blast had conducted themselves was a humbling experience to all, Sinn Fein's Mr. Pat Doherty said in the Assembly debate.
He added that the courage of the emergency services, doctors and nurses after the explosion had been exemplary.
And he said that all talk on the month's ahead about damage figures and management reports should fade into insignificance of the courage of those who had suffered.
The Assembly had been reminded of other tragedy, and their was an onus and responsibility on politicians to move forward and resolve them, Mr. Doherty said, "The attack in Omagh was not an attack on the people of Omagh, it was an attack on the peace process. There is, therefore, the great responsibility placed on us to sustain the process and bring it to fruition.
"We have a further responsibility, and that is to build a memorial of resting peace in commemoration of all those who have died, not just in Omagh, but throughout the Troubles."
"The foundation stones of that memorial should be not only the resolution of the conflict but the resolution of the issues that lead to the conflict in the first place."
He went on to pay tribute to Omagh District Council's chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey for the way they had worked together.
"They preformed their civic duties in a way which matched and mirrored the dignity and courage of all who had been bereaved, all who had suffered and all who had worked to save people caught up in the bomb. They have shown us how we might move forward. There is an onus, a deep and heavy responsibility, on us to do so."
MEMORIES
"We must ensure that Omagh is the last atrocity. We must put all of that behind us. We have memories of suffering, of loss and of indignities but we must match the courage of the people of the people of Omagh, move forward, find a solution, and make the Omagh atrocity the last," he said.
His party colleague, Mr. Barry McElduff, said a great sadness had descended on Omagh, and had been felt throughout Ireland and Spain.
He said: "A community is sharing tragedy and I do not pretend to understand what those affected are going through."
"Horror, pain and grief have affected many people in many communities. That is heartbreaking."
"All the adjectives that could be used have been used. I acknowledgement and recognise the hurt unionists have felt and I ask for similar recognition and acknowledgement of our hurt. We have suffered as well."
Mr. McElduff said that he regretted that some Assembly members could not resist political point scoring.
He said the explosion had been hugely devastating to all in the community. It had claimed the lives of 29 people. 2 unborn babies and a motorist who died when his car was struck by an ambulance carrying injured people to hospital.
He said few people knew that Mrs. Libby Rushe's mother, Eileen McCullagh, died at the age of 96, heartbroken, Mr. McElduff said, to the end.
Mr. McElduff went on to say those who had been bereaved had pointed the way forward to all.
"They have very earnestly expressed that they want us to see the further development of the peace process. Even in the depths of personal despair they have communicated that message to us very quickly and coherently."
"There is a long road ahead for the people of Omagh. Those in that area, district and county will need every conceivable help," he said.
THE dignity with which those bereaved and injured in the Omagh blast had conducted themselves was a humbling experience to all, Sinn Fein's Mr. Pat Doherty said in the Assembly debate.
He added that the courage of the emergency services, doctors and nurses after the explosion had been exemplary.
And he said that all talk on the month's ahead about damage figures and management reports should fade into insignificance of the courage of those who had suffered.
The Assembly had been reminded of other tragedy, and their was an onus and responsibility on politicians to move forward and resolve them, Mr. Doherty said, "The attack in Omagh was not an attack on the people of Omagh, it was an attack on the peace process. There is, therefore, the great responsibility placed on us to sustain the process and bring it to fruition.
"We have a further responsibility, and that is to build a memorial of resting peace in commemoration of all those who have died, not just in Omagh, but throughout the Troubles."
"The foundation stones of that memorial should be not only the resolution of the conflict but the resolution of the issues that lead to the conflict in the first place."
He went on to pay tribute to Omagh District Council's chairman and vice-chairman, Mr. Sean Clarke and Mr. Allan Rainey for the way they had worked together.
"They preformed their civic duties in a way which matched and mirrored the dignity and courage of all who had been bereaved, all who had suffered and all who had worked to save people caught up in the bomb. They have shown us how we might move forward. There is an onus, a deep and heavy responsibility, on us to do so."
MEMORIES
"We must ensure that Omagh is the last atrocity. We must put all of that behind us. We have memories of suffering, of loss and of indignities but we must match the courage of the people of the people of Omagh, move forward, find a solution, and make the Omagh atrocity the last," he said.
His party colleague, Mr. Barry McElduff, said a great sadness had descended on Omagh, and had been felt throughout Ireland and Spain.
He said: "A community is sharing tragedy and I do not pretend to understand what those affected are going through."
"Horror, pain and grief have affected many people in many communities. That is heartbreaking."
"All the adjectives that could be used have been used. I acknowledgement and recognise the hurt unionists have felt and I ask for similar recognition and acknowledgement of our hurt. We have suffered as well."
Mr. McElduff said that he regretted that some Assembly members could not resist political point scoring.
He said the explosion had been hugely devastating to all in the community. It had claimed the lives of 29 people. 2 unborn babies and a motorist who died when his car was struck by an ambulance carrying injured people to hospital.
He said few people knew that Mrs. Libby Rushe's mother, Eileen McCullagh, died at the age of 96, heartbroken, Mr. McElduff said, to the end.
Mr. McElduff went on to say those who had been bereaved had pointed the way forward to all.
"They have very earnestly expressed that they want us to see the further development of the peace process. Even in the depths of personal despair they have communicated that message to us very quickly and coherently."
"There is a long road ahead for the people of Omagh. Those in that area, district and county will need every conceivable help," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1211
Published Date: 17-Sep-98
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