WEDDING BELLS RING OUT FOR BOMB SURVIVORS
Wedding bells ring out for bomb survivors
SHE was 10 minutes early for her wedding, which was seven months late, but the hundreds of well wishers who turned up to wish Donna Marie Keyes well neither noticed nor cared as she arrived to marry fianc�, Garry McGillion.
It was a wedding that might never have taken place. Both were badly injured in the Omagh bombing, and at one time Donna Marie was given a 20 per cent chance of survival.
Her fight back has touched the hearts of people everywhere, and the couple's determination to go through with their wedding plans, proving that love does conquer all.
Among the congregation was Mrs Tracy Devine, mother of little Breda Devine, Garry's niece who perished in the blast. She was just 21 months old and should have been a flower girl at the wedding.
In memory of the little girl, the couple used the orders of service which they had printed for the service which should have taken place on August 22, and which bore Breda's name. A little card remembering Breda was also put inside each of the orders of service. Mrs Devine was also horrifically injured in the bombing.
It was not only local people who remembered the couple, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, sent a telegram, which was read in the church.
It said: "Dear Garry and Donna Marie, I am delighted to send you my congratulations on the occasion of your marriage. You both carry the good wishes of all who have watched your courage and determination throughout the last seven months. May you enjoy this wonderful day and many years of happiness together. With every best wish, Mary McAleese."
At the reception other famous names to remember the couple included the Olympic medalist, Mary Peters.
The sun shone down on the brave young Omagh woman, who suffered horrific burns in the August 15 bombing, as she posed for photographs in a stunning white gown with her father, Malachy, outside the Sacred Heart Church.
Inside, her husband-to-be, Mr. Garry McGillion, waited patiently. The arrival of his bride had been heralded by cheers and applause from the townsfolk who had gathered outside and were unable to get into the church.
As Donna Marie made her entrance the congregation also began to applaud, downing out the bridal music - Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance - as she made her way down the aisle.
The applause grew louder as Donna Marie stopped to greet two other survivors of the bombing, Claire Gallagher, who was blinded, and Pauline Green, who lost part of a leg in the atrocity.
The couple had planned to marry on August 22 last year, instead, Donna Marie was in intensive care in the Royal Victoria Hospital in a deep coma and two thirds of her body were severely burned. Garry lay in another ward. The right hand side of his body had also been badly burned in the explosion, which was later described as Northern Ireland's worst atrocity.
Among those whose names had been added to the guest list in the interim was the medical and nursing staff that had helped with the couple's recovery.
Also there were two priests, who before August had not known the couple: Rev. Pat Sheehan, who gave Donna Marie the Last Rites as she lay in intensive care, and Rev. Paul Byrne, who had been at her bedside and told her about the bomb when she came to from her coma.
Fr. Sheehan's duties following the bombing also included breaking the news of the death of little Breda Devine to her grandfather, Mr. Patrick McGillion.
Both clergymen helped to officiate at the service, which has marked a new chapter in the lives of Donna Marie and Garry, and a watershed in the slow process of recovery of Omagh and her people.
The service was conducted by Rev. John Forbes, assisted by Rev. Stephen Kearney, Mr. McGillion's parish priest, Drumragh parish priest, Rev. Michael Keaveney, and Rev. Kevin Mullan, who was the first clergyman to arrive at the scene of the bombing.
The bride's attendants were Misses Grainne McQuaid, Siobhan McMackin, Eimear Keyes, and flowergirl, Sinead Morris.
The bestman was Mr. Kieran McGillion, and the groomsmen were Messrs Brian and Cathal McGillion. The pageboy was Aaron Devine.
The organist was Marie Campbell and the soloist was Donna O'Brien, while readings were by Gerard Keyes and Marie McGillion and the Prayers of the Faithful were by Terry Keyes and Denise McGillion who were the ushers.
Glare
Despite the glare of publicity that has surrounded the couple and their marriage plans, they managed to maintain an intimate, private air to the marriage, which was filled with touching moments including the blessing of a special communion cup bought for them by Donna-Marie's mother, inscribed with their names and the dates of both weddings. Its blessing was performed by Fr. Leavened.
Another touching moment was when bridesmaid, Siobhan McCracken, was presented with a singing teddy bear. The young woman had given the teddy to Donna Marie while she recovered in hospital, and at the time said she wanted it back when Donna Marie married.
In his address, Fr. Forbes said: "When I got up this morning, the sun was shining and it was a wonderful feeling. I thought, 'Isn't it a mighty beginning to an even mightier day'."
"I am sure as you were running around your homes there was a great panic and buzz in coming to this church. Your presence here today is a precious and wonderful gift. You come here as family and friends because Donna Marie and Garry chose you to be part of this day.
"In one way or another you have made them what they are today at this moment. You have helped create them to become the people that they are," he said.
He said that those invited to the celebration had been invited by way of thanks for everything that they had done.
Presence
Fr. Forbes described Donna Marie as having a great presence about her.
He said that there had been dark days along the way, and paid tribute to Fr. Pat Sheehan and Fr. Paul Byrne for being lights that shone during those days.
"As we think of August 15, we remember a lot of pain and suffering, but we also remember the love and courage of family and friends," he said.
Fr. Forbes said that it was family and friends who made Donna Marie and Garry's marriage very special, but added that their presence in the couple's life was still needed.
"They still need your love, care and kindness, your strength and courage, your challenge and the days that you shock them and say 'come on, take another step'," he said.
Among those Fr. Forbes thanked were those who took part in the service, the assistant clergy and members of the bridal party. He also paid tribute to the members of the RUC, and said they had been very caring and put a lot of work into the last few weeks to ensure the marriage went without a hitch. Fr. Forbes also paid special thanks to the couple's parents.
He said there was a measure of sadness in that little Breda had not been present, but she was there in spirit, and she was remembered for the impact and love that she had brought to those around her.
"As one of the angels of God she will rest for ever in the peace of heaven," he said.
Following the signing of the register, the couple made their way back down the aisle to the main doors of the church, where they were greeted by applause and cheers.
The couple held their reception in Irvinestown, and was given VIP treatment by members of Omagh's constabulary, who provided them with an escort the entire way.
It was a day they thought they would never see, and a day that they will never forget.
SHE was 10 minutes early for her wedding, which was seven months late, but the hundreds of well wishers who turned up to wish Donna Marie Keyes well neither noticed nor cared as she arrived to marry fianc�, Garry McGillion.
It was a wedding that might never have taken place. Both were badly injured in the Omagh bombing, and at one time Donna Marie was given a 20 per cent chance of survival.
Her fight back has touched the hearts of people everywhere, and the couple's determination to go through with their wedding plans, proving that love does conquer all.
Among the congregation was Mrs Tracy Devine, mother of little Breda Devine, Garry's niece who perished in the blast. She was just 21 months old and should have been a flower girl at the wedding.
In memory of the little girl, the couple used the orders of service which they had printed for the service which should have taken place on August 22, and which bore Breda's name. A little card remembering Breda was also put inside each of the orders of service. Mrs Devine was also horrifically injured in the bombing.
It was not only local people who remembered the couple, the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, sent a telegram, which was read in the church.
It said: "Dear Garry and Donna Marie, I am delighted to send you my congratulations on the occasion of your marriage. You both carry the good wishes of all who have watched your courage and determination throughout the last seven months. May you enjoy this wonderful day and many years of happiness together. With every best wish, Mary McAleese."
At the reception other famous names to remember the couple included the Olympic medalist, Mary Peters.
The sun shone down on the brave young Omagh woman, who suffered horrific burns in the August 15 bombing, as she posed for photographs in a stunning white gown with her father, Malachy, outside the Sacred Heart Church.
Inside, her husband-to-be, Mr. Garry McGillion, waited patiently. The arrival of his bride had been heralded by cheers and applause from the townsfolk who had gathered outside and were unable to get into the church.
As Donna Marie made her entrance the congregation also began to applaud, downing out the bridal music - Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance - as she made her way down the aisle.
The applause grew louder as Donna Marie stopped to greet two other survivors of the bombing, Claire Gallagher, who was blinded, and Pauline Green, who lost part of a leg in the atrocity.
The couple had planned to marry on August 22 last year, instead, Donna Marie was in intensive care in the Royal Victoria Hospital in a deep coma and two thirds of her body were severely burned. Garry lay in another ward. The right hand side of his body had also been badly burned in the explosion, which was later described as Northern Ireland's worst atrocity.
Among those whose names had been added to the guest list in the interim was the medical and nursing staff that had helped with the couple's recovery.
Also there were two priests, who before August had not known the couple: Rev. Pat Sheehan, who gave Donna Marie the Last Rites as she lay in intensive care, and Rev. Paul Byrne, who had been at her bedside and told her about the bomb when she came to from her coma.
Fr. Sheehan's duties following the bombing also included breaking the news of the death of little Breda Devine to her grandfather, Mr. Patrick McGillion.
Both clergymen helped to officiate at the service, which has marked a new chapter in the lives of Donna Marie and Garry, and a watershed in the slow process of recovery of Omagh and her people.
The service was conducted by Rev. John Forbes, assisted by Rev. Stephen Kearney, Mr. McGillion's parish priest, Drumragh parish priest, Rev. Michael Keaveney, and Rev. Kevin Mullan, who was the first clergyman to arrive at the scene of the bombing.
The bride's attendants were Misses Grainne McQuaid, Siobhan McMackin, Eimear Keyes, and flowergirl, Sinead Morris.
The bestman was Mr. Kieran McGillion, and the groomsmen were Messrs Brian and Cathal McGillion. The pageboy was Aaron Devine.
The organist was Marie Campbell and the soloist was Donna O'Brien, while readings were by Gerard Keyes and Marie McGillion and the Prayers of the Faithful were by Terry Keyes and Denise McGillion who were the ushers.
Glare
Despite the glare of publicity that has surrounded the couple and their marriage plans, they managed to maintain an intimate, private air to the marriage, which was filled with touching moments including the blessing of a special communion cup bought for them by Donna-Marie's mother, inscribed with their names and the dates of both weddings. Its blessing was performed by Fr. Leavened.
Another touching moment was when bridesmaid, Siobhan McCracken, was presented with a singing teddy bear. The young woman had given the teddy to Donna Marie while she recovered in hospital, and at the time said she wanted it back when Donna Marie married.
In his address, Fr. Forbes said: "When I got up this morning, the sun was shining and it was a wonderful feeling. I thought, 'Isn't it a mighty beginning to an even mightier day'."
"I am sure as you were running around your homes there was a great panic and buzz in coming to this church. Your presence here today is a precious and wonderful gift. You come here as family and friends because Donna Marie and Garry chose you to be part of this day.
"In one way or another you have made them what they are today at this moment. You have helped create them to become the people that they are," he said.
He said that those invited to the celebration had been invited by way of thanks for everything that they had done.
Presence
Fr. Forbes described Donna Marie as having a great presence about her.
He said that there had been dark days along the way, and paid tribute to Fr. Pat Sheehan and Fr. Paul Byrne for being lights that shone during those days.
"As we think of August 15, we remember a lot of pain and suffering, but we also remember the love and courage of family and friends," he said.
Fr. Forbes said that it was family and friends who made Donna Marie and Garry's marriage very special, but added that their presence in the couple's life was still needed.
"They still need your love, care and kindness, your strength and courage, your challenge and the days that you shock them and say 'come on, take another step'," he said.
Among those Fr. Forbes thanked were those who took part in the service, the assistant clergy and members of the bridal party. He also paid tribute to the members of the RUC, and said they had been very caring and put a lot of work into the last few weeks to ensure the marriage went without a hitch. Fr. Forbes also paid special thanks to the couple's parents.
He said there was a measure of sadness in that little Breda had not been present, but she was there in spirit, and she was remembered for the impact and love that she had brought to those around her.
"As one of the angels of God she will rest for ever in the peace of heaven," he said.
Following the signing of the register, the couple made their way back down the aisle to the main doors of the church, where they were greeted by applause and cheers.
The couple held their reception in Irvinestown, and was given VIP treatment by members of Omagh's constabulary, who provided them with an escort the entire way.
It was a day they thought they would never see, and a day that they will never forget.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1337
Published Date: 01-Apr-99
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