JOINT APPROACH NEEDED TO CLAMP DISSIDENT GROUP
Joint approach needed to clamp dissident group
RELATIVES of those who died in the Market Street bombing in Omagh two years ago, were united in silent protest on Friday, at a West Belfast event staged by the political wing of the Real IRA, the group blamed for the atrocity which claimed 29 lives and the lives of unborn twin girls.
The families have also called on the British, Irish and American governments to set up a joint approach to use all legitimate and democratic means to prevent the further growth of the dissident group.
In a statement which coincided with their silent protest, the families said it was to the shame of the British and Irish Governments that the dissident movement was allowed to hold bank accounts openly, to buy offices and man them, while at the same time being openly engaged in violence.
At one stage early in their protest, the 16 relatives were ordered to move by one of those attending the event, Marion Price, who was previously convicted of planting four bombs in London, killing one person and wounding 180 others.
In a statement, the relatives said they have travelled to Hannahstown to protest at the continuing campaign run by the 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
They said they also wanted to remind the world of the constant suffering which all the families of the 29 people murdered on August 15, 1998, still had to endure, and would continue to endure.
"It is shameful that in this public house, members of the 32 Counties Sovereignty Committee/Real IRA will, in the words of their own advert for the event, be having 'craic agus ceoil' crack and music. There has been little singing in the homes of the relatives of the 29 victims and the many maimed and injured since the massive car bomb," the relatives' statement said.
It continued: "In their advert they call for the release of prisoners - hypocrisy in the extreme in claiming every human right for themselves while denying any rights to others. We wish it to be known throughout the world, but particularly in America, that Martin Galvin, who was due to speak here, is contributing nothing to the people of Ireland only misery."
The group went on to condemn any attempt by the dissident organisation to put behind it the "dreadful deed" visited on Omagh, and criticised any attempt by them to portray themselves as the victims.
"We, therefore, turn to the Irish, British and American governments in our call for setting up a joint approach to use all legitimate, democratic means at their disposal, within a human rights context, to campaign against the further growth of this 'hate and murder movement'," the relatives said.
Price, a one time hunger striker ordered the Omagh delegation off the property at Brennan's Bar in Hannahstown.
Meanwhile, inside members of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee had gathered to hear an address from former Noraid chief, Martin Galvin. Mr. Galvin was brought in through a back entrance.
The bereaved, who carried placards demanding justice, had initially begun their silent vigil at the entrance to the building, but were moved back to the gates by Ms. Price.
Mrs. Patsy Gallagher, wife of the chairman of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, this week described how the woman came out and "chased" them.
"A woman came out and asked us to get off the private property, but we did not say anything to her, we just went down to the gates," she said.
"Actually, she did us a favour by asking us to move. People would not have seen us where we were, but those at the gates did see us and some of them decided not to go in, which was good, I thought," she said.
Mrs. Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Adrian, died in the 3001b car bomb blast, said that most of those attending appeared to be teenagers, and added: "They are running their 'army' on teenagers".
"A few young lads walked past us and they were shaking," she said.
Mrs. Gallagher said that she was glad that she had taken part as it had stopped some people from entering.
"I said before we left Omagh that I would be happy if the protest stopped even one person from taking part. We did that. To me it was a success.
"It gave them something to think about and it also let them see that everybody is not scared of them. Someone has to stand up and say 'this must stop', and if there are enough people willing to get out there then the power of the people will overcome this," she added.
Mr. Michael Gallagher said that in the past three decades victims of violence have never stood up to those responsible.
"We feel that this is the time to stand up. If it was an Arab organisation doing this, the US Government would not stand for it too long.
"We have to take our story across to the US Government to let them hear the facts.
"These are people bent on carrying on their war, holding functions in different parts of the country. We feel they need to be exposed," he said.
The vice-chairman of the Support Group, Mr. Stanley McCombe, whose wife died in the atrocity, said the money held by the dissident group should be sequestered by the Irish Government.
"It is offensive," he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son perished in the bombing, also attended the event to voice their disgust, and said the bereaved felt frustrated.
"I am seeking justice for my child, a 12-year-old blown to pieces by these people. They have no right to pretend they are democratic when they are engaged in violence of a terrible nature," Mr. Barker said.
He said it was nonsense that there was any 'British involvement' in the protest as had been claimed by the dissident group.
"This protest was a low-key thing made by families both Catholic and Protestant. It was not sectarian - it was a protest against those responsible for the Omagh bomb directly or indirectly," he said.
Referring to Ms. Price's request for the bereaved to move, Mr. Barker said he did not know who she was at the time.
"I thought she was the owner of the bar. When I was told who she was I did not feel great about it, obviously.
United
"The families were united in the sense that they wanted to make a protest against the people responsible for murdering members of their families.
"We feel that no one is entitled to further their political aims by targeting children. I find it distasteful that they can live with their families while we have not been allowed to live with members of our families," he said.
"On their Website one woman is quoted as saying she wanted to live her life peacefully with her own three children. I would have loved to live my life peacefully with my child, too," he said.
Mr. Barker went on to say that he wished people could have seen the "human misery" on the faces of those who made the trek to West Belfast to demand justice, and he paid tribute in particular to Laurence Rush, whose wife was another victim of the bombing.
"Laurence was great. He conducted himself with great dignity and was handing out brochures.
Someone turned around to him and said 'You are nothing but a sad old zombie'. That was from someone in a car that went into the bar.
"Women covered their faces when they went in - they jolly well should have done. They should be ashamed of themselves," he said angrily.
However, Mr. Barker revealed that not everyone in the area agreed with the meeting.
"Three women came to us and said they were disgusted at what was going on. One of them said had she known she would not have turned up to drop someone off at the event," he said.
He went on to vow to expose the killers, and said he would not rest until those responsible were behind bars.
He was highly critical of the Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, who has refused to help bring the killers to justice.
"From a moral point of view, this cannot be justified. I mean, my view is that here is a man who is seeking to have justice for his own people, and in this respect, millions of pounds of tax payers' money is being spent.
"So he demands justice for himself, but he will not give it to victims of terrorist violence. I think from a moral point of view his stance is untenable.
"I am not saying I want him to inform on all his former colleagues, but he should make it clear he does not believe violence and murder are acceptable," he added.
RELATIVES of those who died in the Market Street bombing in Omagh two years ago, were united in silent protest on Friday, at a West Belfast event staged by the political wing of the Real IRA, the group blamed for the atrocity which claimed 29 lives and the lives of unborn twin girls.
The families have also called on the British, Irish and American governments to set up a joint approach to use all legitimate and democratic means to prevent the further growth of the dissident group.
In a statement which coincided with their silent protest, the families said it was to the shame of the British and Irish Governments that the dissident movement was allowed to hold bank accounts openly, to buy offices and man them, while at the same time being openly engaged in violence.
At one stage early in their protest, the 16 relatives were ordered to move by one of those attending the event, Marion Price, who was previously convicted of planting four bombs in London, killing one person and wounding 180 others.
In a statement, the relatives said they have travelled to Hannahstown to protest at the continuing campaign run by the 32-County Sovereignty Committee.
They said they also wanted to remind the world of the constant suffering which all the families of the 29 people murdered on August 15, 1998, still had to endure, and would continue to endure.
"It is shameful that in this public house, members of the 32 Counties Sovereignty Committee/Real IRA will, in the words of their own advert for the event, be having 'craic agus ceoil' crack and music. There has been little singing in the homes of the relatives of the 29 victims and the many maimed and injured since the massive car bomb," the relatives' statement said.
It continued: "In their advert they call for the release of prisoners - hypocrisy in the extreme in claiming every human right for themselves while denying any rights to others. We wish it to be known throughout the world, but particularly in America, that Martin Galvin, who was due to speak here, is contributing nothing to the people of Ireland only misery."
The group went on to condemn any attempt by the dissident organisation to put behind it the "dreadful deed" visited on Omagh, and criticised any attempt by them to portray themselves as the victims.
"We, therefore, turn to the Irish, British and American governments in our call for setting up a joint approach to use all legitimate, democratic means at their disposal, within a human rights context, to campaign against the further growth of this 'hate and murder movement'," the relatives said.
Price, a one time hunger striker ordered the Omagh delegation off the property at Brennan's Bar in Hannahstown.
Meanwhile, inside members of the 32-County Sovereignty Committee had gathered to hear an address from former Noraid chief, Martin Galvin. Mr. Galvin was brought in through a back entrance.
The bereaved, who carried placards demanding justice, had initially begun their silent vigil at the entrance to the building, but were moved back to the gates by Ms. Price.
Mrs. Patsy Gallagher, wife of the chairman of the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, this week described how the woman came out and "chased" them.
"A woman came out and asked us to get off the private property, but we did not say anything to her, we just went down to the gates," she said.
"Actually, she did us a favour by asking us to move. People would not have seen us where we were, but those at the gates did see us and some of them decided not to go in, which was good, I thought," she said.
Mrs. Gallagher, whose 21-year-old son, Adrian, died in the 3001b car bomb blast, said that most of those attending appeared to be teenagers, and added: "They are running their 'army' on teenagers".
"A few young lads walked past us and they were shaking," she said.
Mrs. Gallagher said that she was glad that she had taken part as it had stopped some people from entering.
"I said before we left Omagh that I would be happy if the protest stopped even one person from taking part. We did that. To me it was a success.
"It gave them something to think about and it also let them see that everybody is not scared of them. Someone has to stand up and say 'this must stop', and if there are enough people willing to get out there then the power of the people will overcome this," she added.
Mr. Michael Gallagher said that in the past three decades victims of violence have never stood up to those responsible.
"We feel that this is the time to stand up. If it was an Arab organisation doing this, the US Government would not stand for it too long.
"We have to take our story across to the US Government to let them hear the facts.
"These are people bent on carrying on their war, holding functions in different parts of the country. We feel they need to be exposed," he said.
The vice-chairman of the Support Group, Mr. Stanley McCombe, whose wife died in the atrocity, said the money held by the dissident group should be sequestered by the Irish Government.
"It is offensive," he said.
Mr. and Mrs. Victor Barker, whose 12-year-old son perished in the bombing, also attended the event to voice their disgust, and said the bereaved felt frustrated.
"I am seeking justice for my child, a 12-year-old blown to pieces by these people. They have no right to pretend they are democratic when they are engaged in violence of a terrible nature," Mr. Barker said.
He said it was nonsense that there was any 'British involvement' in the protest as had been claimed by the dissident group.
"This protest was a low-key thing made by families both Catholic and Protestant. It was not sectarian - it was a protest against those responsible for the Omagh bomb directly or indirectly," he said.
Referring to Ms. Price's request for the bereaved to move, Mr. Barker said he did not know who she was at the time.
"I thought she was the owner of the bar. When I was told who she was I did not feel great about it, obviously.
United
"The families were united in the sense that they wanted to make a protest against the people responsible for murdering members of their families.
"We feel that no one is entitled to further their political aims by targeting children. I find it distasteful that they can live with their families while we have not been allowed to live with members of our families," he said.
"On their Website one woman is quoted as saying she wanted to live her life peacefully with her own three children. I would have loved to live my life peacefully with my child, too," he said.
Mr. Barker went on to say that he wished people could have seen the "human misery" on the faces of those who made the trek to West Belfast to demand justice, and he paid tribute in particular to Laurence Rush, whose wife was another victim of the bombing.
"Laurence was great. He conducted himself with great dignity and was handing out brochures.
Someone turned around to him and said 'You are nothing but a sad old zombie'. That was from someone in a car that went into the bar.
"Women covered their faces when they went in - they jolly well should have done. They should be ashamed of themselves," he said angrily.
However, Mr. Barker revealed that not everyone in the area agreed with the meeting.
"Three women came to us and said they were disgusted at what was going on. One of them said had she known she would not have turned up to drop someone off at the event," he said.
He went on to vow to expose the killers, and said he would not rest until those responsible were behind bars.
He was highly critical of the Sinn Fein leader, Gerry Adams, who has refused to help bring the killers to justice.
"From a moral point of view, this cannot be justified. I mean, my view is that here is a man who is seeking to have justice for his own people, and in this respect, millions of pounds of tax payers' money is being spent.
"So he demands justice for himself, but he will not give it to victims of terrorist violence. I think from a moral point of view his stance is untenable.
"I am not saying I want him to inform on all his former colleagues, but he should make it clear he does not believe violence and murder are acceptable," he added.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1513
Published Date: 24-Aug-00
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