OMAGH SCHOOL HONOURS VICTIMS OF TERRORISM
Omagh school honours victims of terrorism
TWO hundred people attended a moving tribute in Omagh High School over the weekend.
A teacher, pupils and former pupils of Omagh High School who had lost their lives to the violence which has consumed Northern Ireland for more than three decades were remembered at a service on Saturday afternoon.
Sixteen pupils and one teacher have lost their lives in the troubles and the school, and their parents association, felt their lives should be commemorated in some way.
A memorial plaque listing the names of the deceased was unveiled by the Duke of Abercorn, who also gave an address at the reception and was accompanied by the Duchess of Abercorn.
School principal, Mr Bill Harper, also spoke at the ceremony and said he, "was honoured to be associated with the memorial. He paid tribute to the contribution the deceased teacher and pupils had made to the school."
The school choir led the praise and sang the anthem "Brother James' Air".
The roll of honour was read by vice-principal Mrs Rosemary Cummings, after which a two minute silence was witnessed.
At a luncheon prior to the service Mr Andrew Scott, former chairman of the Parents Association, explained how the association had been discussing the erection of a memorial for a number of years.
The association were aware of the pain felt by those present but it had not been there intention to add to the distress already endured.
"It is important we honour and remember those who were so brutally and tragically murdered and I trust this plaque will remain a fitting memorial to their memory," he said.
TWO hundred people attended a moving tribute in Omagh High School over the weekend.
A teacher, pupils and former pupils of Omagh High School who had lost their lives to the violence which has consumed Northern Ireland for more than three decades were remembered at a service on Saturday afternoon.
Sixteen pupils and one teacher have lost their lives in the troubles and the school, and their parents association, felt their lives should be commemorated in some way.
A memorial plaque listing the names of the deceased was unveiled by the Duke of Abercorn, who also gave an address at the reception and was accompanied by the Duchess of Abercorn.
School principal, Mr Bill Harper, also spoke at the ceremony and said he, "was honoured to be associated with the memorial. He paid tribute to the contribution the deceased teacher and pupils had made to the school."
The school choir led the praise and sang the anthem "Brother James' Air".
The roll of honour was read by vice-principal Mrs Rosemary Cummings, after which a two minute silence was witnessed.
At a luncheon prior to the service Mr Andrew Scott, former chairman of the Parents Association, explained how the association had been discussing the erection of a memorial for a number of years.
The association were aware of the pain felt by those present but it had not been there intention to add to the distress already endured.
"It is important we honour and remember those who were so brutally and tragically murdered and I trust this plaque will remain a fitting memorial to their memory," he said.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1414
Published Date: 11-Nov-99
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