PEACEMAKERS SHOULD NOT LOSE HEART DESPITE THE SETBACKS
Peacemakers should not lose heart despite the setbacks, plea by Buncrana families
THE family and friends of two of the young Buncrana boys murdered in the Omagh bomb this week revealed that the inquest into their deaths has been both gruelling and draining for them.
In a statement given through Fr. Shane Bradley, a priest from the seaside town, they said that despite their feelings, it had been their strong wish to be in Omagh as they continued their search for any new light or knowledge about the last movements and circumstances of the deaths of Shaun McLaughlin and Oran Doherty.
They said that, while by their nature, inquests were public, the quest for truth had been a deeply personal experience for both families, and had included some deeply moving and yet heartbreaking encounters with individuals involved with their sons.
Fr. Bradley said that, hopefully, this could help them as they continued to grieve. He said that the precise details of those encounters and their impact were, for them, and them alone.
"Once again they want to put on record their sincere thanks to all involved and who cared for their sons in their absence - doctors, nurses, security personnel and civilians. The inquest has reminded us all of the sheer scale of the horror and the awfulness of the circumstances all had to work in.
"Everyone involved truly deserves every honour possible. This kindness has been replicated during these inquests and we are especially grateful to all concerned in the setting up of this inquest, especially the police community liaison officers and the trauma team personnel and other carers," he said.
He went on to say that at the heart of all of it was "an act of unspeakable horror and evil" and the Buncrana families shared with many of the other families the frustration that the main perpetrators of the atrocity still took no responsibility for the terrible devastation they had caused.
"They still hold the hope that one day there can be justice not just for them, but for all who have shared in the tragedy of our island which has been called 'The Troubles'," he said.
"It is a sad reflection on our peoples that there are enough people willing to shelter perpetrators of such an evil act. They would appeal to anyone who knows anything: What if it were your son or daughter, wife or granny that happened to be on the street that day would you still feel the same?" he asked on the families' behalf.
Fr. Bradley said that the story of that August day had been retold over the past few weeks in a clinical and somewhat impassionate way during the Inquest, and he said that had somehow brought into sharper relief the scale of it all.
Stone
"Two years on it still moves us to tears. Our families would have on more than one occasion expressed the wish that those responsible should have been here at the courtroom - to have seen and heard all that they have seen and heard. They would need to be made of stone not to have wondered: "Was our cause worth this?" he said.
The clergyman said that, as with other families, the Buncrana families also shared the hope that there should be no more bloodshed and violence.
"In the immediate aftermath of Omagh many said 'never again', but, tragically, there are real signs our fragile peace could break and has already broken for the people of the Shankill. The distorted thinking and blinkered approach to our differences that acknowledge what some political leaders and others, who carry influence, already achieved, they call on them not to lose heart, but to continue on the road of peace and for those not willing to go the extra pace, to consider doing so.
"They further call on people of all political colours to consider the horror they have had to endure in the loss of their two young sons, along with thousands of others and realise there are other ways of expressing political differences and aspirations. It does not have to be like this," he said.
"And so, as they return to their homes, having faced the truth of their sons' deaths, these last few weeks, carrying in their hearts more knowledge and the memory of encounters with people who had been in their place on the street and in the hospital.
Reality
"This is why they came," Fr. Bradley said, adding: "The reality of their sons' deaths may never be far from their hearts but they will take up the baton again and continue as they have continued these last two years.
He added: "perhaps the knowledge they have gained here will help them find comfort. Time will tell. Like all who grieve, they will need understanding and care and they will need privacy".
In a discussion period following the statement, Fr. Bradley said that he had worked very closely with the bereaved of Buncrana, as well as with the Barkers before they moved back to England.
He said that while the parents and other close relatives of Shaun and Oran had visited Omagh prior to the inquest, for the extended families and friends the proceedings had been the first time they had been to the town.
He said that despite their pain, many were heartened when they met those who cared for the boys and learned how well they had been cared for.
However, he also said that there was a feeling of disappointment among them when they heard or saw headlines of more violence and shootings, and the lesson of Omagh had not been learned and there were those who had retreated into a ghetto like mentality. However, he said the families had not lost hope.
He said the people of Buncrana were appreciative of the loss suffered by Omagh, and they also appreciated all the kind gestures offered to them in the past few years. He said there was no sense of resentment in the families, and they had nothing but positive feelings towards the people of Omagh
"They have been very touched by the kindness of the people here," he said.
Fr. Bradley also revealed that while in Omagh for the inquest, the members of both families had taken the opportunity to pay a discreet visit to the Garden of Remembrance, where all, and particularly those who had not been to Omagh before, were able to be alone with their thoughts and pray.
Asked what the families' thoughts were on the news that no one from the Garda Siochana was to give evidence at the hearing, Fr. Bradley said that there was a sense of disappointment.
"I am not sure they were expecting any great revelation. It would just complete the picture. If they did make an appearance it would be adding to the picture. As it is there will be a gap, a sense of incompletion," he said.
Prior to hearing the inquest into the young boy's deaths, the Coroner, Mr. John Leckey revealed that he had written to the Office of the Commissioner, Mr. Patrick Byrne.
However, in a reply, Mr. P. J. Mullen, Inspector for the Private Secretary to the Commissioner, said that for a Garda officer to give evidence at the inquest was not appropriate.
"With a prosecution pending in this jurisdiction, we would not wish to compromise Garda testimony in any way prior to any court sitting," Mr. Mullen said, adding that he regretted he could not be of more assistance at this point.
THE family and friends of two of the young Buncrana boys murdered in the Omagh bomb this week revealed that the inquest into their deaths has been both gruelling and draining for them.
In a statement given through Fr. Shane Bradley, a priest from the seaside town, they said that despite their feelings, it had been their strong wish to be in Omagh as they continued their search for any new light or knowledge about the last movements and circumstances of the deaths of Shaun McLaughlin and Oran Doherty.
They said that, while by their nature, inquests were public, the quest for truth had been a deeply personal experience for both families, and had included some deeply moving and yet heartbreaking encounters with individuals involved with their sons.
Fr. Bradley said that, hopefully, this could help them as they continued to grieve. He said that the precise details of those encounters and their impact were, for them, and them alone.
"Once again they want to put on record their sincere thanks to all involved and who cared for their sons in their absence - doctors, nurses, security personnel and civilians. The inquest has reminded us all of the sheer scale of the horror and the awfulness of the circumstances all had to work in.
"Everyone involved truly deserves every honour possible. This kindness has been replicated during these inquests and we are especially grateful to all concerned in the setting up of this inquest, especially the police community liaison officers and the trauma team personnel and other carers," he said.
He went on to say that at the heart of all of it was "an act of unspeakable horror and evil" and the Buncrana families shared with many of the other families the frustration that the main perpetrators of the atrocity still took no responsibility for the terrible devastation they had caused.
"They still hold the hope that one day there can be justice not just for them, but for all who have shared in the tragedy of our island which has been called 'The Troubles'," he said.
"It is a sad reflection on our peoples that there are enough people willing to shelter perpetrators of such an evil act. They would appeal to anyone who knows anything: What if it were your son or daughter, wife or granny that happened to be on the street that day would you still feel the same?" he asked on the families' behalf.
Fr. Bradley said that the story of that August day had been retold over the past few weeks in a clinical and somewhat impassionate way during the Inquest, and he said that had somehow brought into sharper relief the scale of it all.
Stone
"Two years on it still moves us to tears. Our families would have on more than one occasion expressed the wish that those responsible should have been here at the courtroom - to have seen and heard all that they have seen and heard. They would need to be made of stone not to have wondered: "Was our cause worth this?" he said.
The clergyman said that, as with other families, the Buncrana families also shared the hope that there should be no more bloodshed and violence.
"In the immediate aftermath of Omagh many said 'never again', but, tragically, there are real signs our fragile peace could break and has already broken for the people of the Shankill. The distorted thinking and blinkered approach to our differences that acknowledge what some political leaders and others, who carry influence, already achieved, they call on them not to lose heart, but to continue on the road of peace and for those not willing to go the extra pace, to consider doing so.
"They further call on people of all political colours to consider the horror they have had to endure in the loss of their two young sons, along with thousands of others and realise there are other ways of expressing political differences and aspirations. It does not have to be like this," he said.
"And so, as they return to their homes, having faced the truth of their sons' deaths, these last few weeks, carrying in their hearts more knowledge and the memory of encounters with people who had been in their place on the street and in the hospital.
Reality
"This is why they came," Fr. Bradley said, adding: "The reality of their sons' deaths may never be far from their hearts but they will take up the baton again and continue as they have continued these last two years.
He added: "perhaps the knowledge they have gained here will help them find comfort. Time will tell. Like all who grieve, they will need understanding and care and they will need privacy".
In a discussion period following the statement, Fr. Bradley said that he had worked very closely with the bereaved of Buncrana, as well as with the Barkers before they moved back to England.
He said that while the parents and other close relatives of Shaun and Oran had visited Omagh prior to the inquest, for the extended families and friends the proceedings had been the first time they had been to the town.
He said that despite their pain, many were heartened when they met those who cared for the boys and learned how well they had been cared for.
However, he also said that there was a feeling of disappointment among them when they heard or saw headlines of more violence and shootings, and the lesson of Omagh had not been learned and there were those who had retreated into a ghetto like mentality. However, he said the families had not lost hope.
He said the people of Buncrana were appreciative of the loss suffered by Omagh, and they also appreciated all the kind gestures offered to them in the past few years. He said there was no sense of resentment in the families, and they had nothing but positive feelings towards the people of Omagh
"They have been very touched by the kindness of the people here," he said.
Fr. Bradley also revealed that while in Omagh for the inquest, the members of both families had taken the opportunity to pay a discreet visit to the Garden of Remembrance, where all, and particularly those who had not been to Omagh before, were able to be alone with their thoughts and pray.
Asked what the families' thoughts were on the news that no one from the Garda Siochana was to give evidence at the hearing, Fr. Bradley said that there was a sense of disappointment.
"I am not sure they were expecting any great revelation. It would just complete the picture. If they did make an appearance it would be adding to the picture. As it is there will be a gap, a sense of incompletion," he said.
Prior to hearing the inquest into the young boy's deaths, the Coroner, Mr. John Leckey revealed that he had written to the Office of the Commissioner, Mr. Patrick Byrne.
However, in a reply, Mr. P. J. Mullen, Inspector for the Private Secretary to the Commissioner, said that for a Garda officer to give evidence at the inquest was not appropriate.
"With a prosecution pending in this jurisdiction, we would not wish to compromise Garda testimony in any way prior to any court sitting," Mr. Mullen said, adding that he regretted he could not be of more assistance at this point.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1562
Published Date: 28-Sep-00
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