MESSAGE OF SUPPORT FROM COUNCIL CHAIRMAN ON EVE OF ATROCITY ANNIVERSARY
Message of support from council chairman on eve of atrocity anniversary
THE chairman of Omagh District Council, Mr. Allan Rainey, who was very much to the fore in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing atrocity offering what support he could, five yeas on sends an encouraging message to the people of the district and praises the strength, courage and determination of all.
"As August 15 approaches, the thoughts of the people of the district invariably turn towards the terrible atrocity visited on the town of Omagh five years ago.
"The devastating loss of life and the sheer scale and severity of the injuries inflicted in this act of evil are well documented and although the sense of pain and hurt is still very real and tangible, those directly affected, and indeed the community as a whole, have through their strength, courage and determination demonstrated their ability to triumph over adversity by moving forward in a sense of togetherness and shared purpose to rebuild their lives and their town.
"In the immediate aftermath of the bomb, Omagh received overwhelming support and assistance from every corner of the world and now, with the recent opening of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Reconciliation, Omagh can reciprocate some of that generosity through the
sharing of the knowledge and skills gained through the good work of the Trauma and Recovery Team with the wider world.
"A lecture to be given by Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Omagh Leisure Complex on Sunday evening will reflect that very ethos.
"Another example of good emerging from evil was the formation of the Omagh Community Youth Choir, whose membership is drawn from all sections of the community. I would commend the young people involved for the ambassadorial role that they have played and continue to play, in an international setting. Just last week these young people, our young people, performed in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York as part of their tour of the east coast of the United States.
"Other commendable examples of good community relations and strong community spirit are the recently-opened Community House, which is a focal point for a broad range of community and voluntary organisations and, of course, the campaign to retain our acute hospital services which has enjoyed district wide support.
These, together with the tremendous strides that we have seen in recent times to economically regenerate the town, are all positive indicators of a determined, forward-looking community, as are projects such as the proposed new Omagh College development and the new Arts Centre development.
"This year's service, of remembrance, which takes place tomorrow, Friday, at the Memorial Garden on Drumragh Avenue commencing at 1pm, will bring to a close the acts of civic led, public remembrance which have taken place annually since 1998.
Sunday night's lecture will see us move into a new phase of acknowledgement of and learning from the past, and we hope that this will receive the support of the entire Omagh community".
THE chairman of Omagh District Council, Mr. Allan Rainey, who was very much to the fore in the aftermath of the Omagh bombing atrocity offering what support he could, five yeas on sends an encouraging message to the people of the district and praises the strength, courage and determination of all.
"As August 15 approaches, the thoughts of the people of the district invariably turn towards the terrible atrocity visited on the town of Omagh five years ago.
"The devastating loss of life and the sheer scale and severity of the injuries inflicted in this act of evil are well documented and although the sense of pain and hurt is still very real and tangible, those directly affected, and indeed the community as a whole, have through their strength, courage and determination demonstrated their ability to triumph over adversity by moving forward in a sense of togetherness and shared purpose to rebuild their lives and their town.
"In the immediate aftermath of the bomb, Omagh received overwhelming support and assistance from every corner of the world and now, with the recent opening of the Northern Ireland Centre for Trauma and Reconciliation, Omagh can reciprocate some of that generosity through the
sharing of the knowledge and skills gained through the good work of the Trauma and Recovery Team with the wider world.
"A lecture to be given by Mrs. Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in Omagh Leisure Complex on Sunday evening will reflect that very ethos.
"Another example of good emerging from evil was the formation of the Omagh Community Youth Choir, whose membership is drawn from all sections of the community. I would commend the young people involved for the ambassadorial role that they have played and continue to play, in an international setting. Just last week these young people, our young people, performed in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York as part of their tour of the east coast of the United States.
"Other commendable examples of good community relations and strong community spirit are the recently-opened Community House, which is a focal point for a broad range of community and voluntary organisations and, of course, the campaign to retain our acute hospital services which has enjoyed district wide support.
These, together with the tremendous strides that we have seen in recent times to economically regenerate the town, are all positive indicators of a determined, forward-looking community, as are projects such as the proposed new Omagh College development and the new Arts Centre development.
"This year's service, of remembrance, which takes place tomorrow, Friday, at the Memorial Garden on Drumragh Avenue commencing at 1pm, will bring to a close the acts of civic led, public remembrance which have taken place annually since 1998.
Sunday night's lecture will see us move into a new phase of acknowledgement of and learning from the past, and we hope that this will receive the support of the entire Omagh community".
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1616
Published Date: 14-Aug-03
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