EIRE PREMIER ACCUSED OF 'SNUBBING' OMAGH RELATIVES
Eire premier accused of 'snubbing' Omagh relatives
OMAGH bomb bereaved, Mr. Michael Gallagher, has this week spoken of his "grave disappointment" over Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's "snubbing" of an invitation to attend a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the Omagh bomb.
Mr. Ahern had been sent an invitation to attend the ceremony by Mr Gallagher's wife, Patsy, but is not to attend.
The town will hold an anniversary service tomorrow (Friday), which includes a minute's silence, to commemorate the 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in the Real IRA atrocity in August 15 1998.
Patsy Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was among those killed, last month sent letters to both Mr Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair, inviting them to attend.
And although both declined, Mr Gallagher said that Mr Blair's response was more "heartfelt".
In response to the letter, Mr Blair had sent a personal letter to Mrs Gallagher expressing regret that he would not be able to attend tomorrow's ceremony.
In his letter, Mr Blair said he was "moved" by the invitation, and said that "his thoughts would be with the families.
"Each day must bring painful memories to you and all those bereaved but these memories must be especially painful as the anniversary of that dreadful day approaches," he stated.
The Prime Minister also revealed that he had asked Minister of State Jane Kennedy to represent him at the event before adding in a hand-written message: "I am very sorry I can't be with you."
However, the Gallagher family said they were hurt to receive a two paragraph reply from a representative of the Taoiseach on Thursday of last week - the day that Real IRA chief, Michael McKevitt, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for his role in the paramilitary group.
Disappointing
"Following his letter I have discovered that Mr Ahern will be sending a very junior representative of the Dail in his place. But even this is very disappointing to us," said Mr Gallagher.
The short reply, sent by Mr Ahern's appointments secretary, said that "while the Taoiseach very much appreciates your thoughtfulness in extending this invitation to him, unfortunately he regrets that he is not in a position to accept as he will be away during that time."
Mr Gallagher added that his wife had found the response "particularly disappointing" given that Mr Ahern has yet to meet with the relatives of those killed in the blast.
Describing the letter as an insult to those affected by the bomb, Mr Gallagher added: "Mr Ahern's response to us was very disappointing, he couldn't even sign the letter personally.
"It is particularly disappointing given that this government can send reserves all over the world, but the Taoiseach can't travel up the road for just one minute's silence.
"My wife is particularly hurt and disappointed by this, because she though' that as he hadn't attendee any of the previous ceremonies he would attend this one, but unfortunately this isn't the case," he said.
Mr Gallagher also accused Mr Ahern of doing all kinds of moves to avoid meeting relatives to discuss issues surrounding the Garda investigation a well as their civil action against five individuals including Michael McKevitt.
"We have been sending letters to Mr Ahern for the past three years, but he had always refused to meet us. This is what he thinks of us," he said.
A government spokesman said the Taoiseach had always recognised the extreme importance of the issue surrounding Omagh.
He added that Mr Ahern along with the Garda, were determined that there should be a "satisfactory conclusion" to the Omagh question.
OMAGH bomb bereaved, Mr. Michael Gallagher, has this week spoken of his "grave disappointment" over Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's "snubbing" of an invitation to attend a ceremony marking the fifth anniversary of the Omagh bomb.
Mr. Ahern had been sent an invitation to attend the ceremony by Mr Gallagher's wife, Patsy, but is not to attend.
The town will hold an anniversary service tomorrow (Friday), which includes a minute's silence, to commemorate the 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins, killed in the Real IRA atrocity in August 15 1998.
Patsy Gallagher, whose son, Aidan, was among those killed, last month sent letters to both Mr Ahern and Prime Minister Tony Blair, inviting them to attend.
And although both declined, Mr Gallagher said that Mr Blair's response was more "heartfelt".
In response to the letter, Mr Blair had sent a personal letter to Mrs Gallagher expressing regret that he would not be able to attend tomorrow's ceremony.
In his letter, Mr Blair said he was "moved" by the invitation, and said that "his thoughts would be with the families.
"Each day must bring painful memories to you and all those bereaved but these memories must be especially painful as the anniversary of that dreadful day approaches," he stated.
The Prime Minister also revealed that he had asked Minister of State Jane Kennedy to represent him at the event before adding in a hand-written message: "I am very sorry I can't be with you."
However, the Gallagher family said they were hurt to receive a two paragraph reply from a representative of the Taoiseach on Thursday of last week - the day that Real IRA chief, Michael McKevitt, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for his role in the paramilitary group.
Disappointing
"Following his letter I have discovered that Mr Ahern will be sending a very junior representative of the Dail in his place. But even this is very disappointing to us," said Mr Gallagher.
The short reply, sent by Mr Ahern's appointments secretary, said that "while the Taoiseach very much appreciates your thoughtfulness in extending this invitation to him, unfortunately he regrets that he is not in a position to accept as he will be away during that time."
Mr Gallagher added that his wife had found the response "particularly disappointing" given that Mr Ahern has yet to meet with the relatives of those killed in the blast.
Describing the letter as an insult to those affected by the bomb, Mr Gallagher added: "Mr Ahern's response to us was very disappointing, he couldn't even sign the letter personally.
"It is particularly disappointing given that this government can send reserves all over the world, but the Taoiseach can't travel up the road for just one minute's silence.
"My wife is particularly hurt and disappointed by this, because she though' that as he hadn't attendee any of the previous ceremonies he would attend this one, but unfortunately this isn't the case," he said.
Mr Gallagher also accused Mr Ahern of doing all kinds of moves to avoid meeting relatives to discuss issues surrounding the Garda investigation a well as their civil action against five individuals including Michael McKevitt.
"We have been sending letters to Mr Ahern for the past three years, but he had always refused to meet us. This is what he thinks of us," he said.
A government spokesman said the Taoiseach had always recognised the extreme importance of the issue surrounding Omagh.
He added that Mr Ahern along with the Garda, were determined that there should be a "satisfactory conclusion" to the Omagh question.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1615
Published Date: 14-Aug-03
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