TC/1654

Memorial service offers words of hope and support
By Ruth McKee

THE fifth anniversary of the Omagh bomb which claimed 31 lives, including unborn twins, on August 15, 1998, was commemorated on Friday, on a beautiful summer's day - similar to that on which the terrible atrocity occurred at a memorial service just outside the memorial garden, off Drumragh Avenue, in the town.
The short service drew several hundred people, to the last civic-led public remembrance planned until the 10th anniversary, and included bereaved relatives, people who were injured, emergency services personnel who were working that day, representatives from Omagh District Council, and the British and Irish governments.
Representatives of those who suffered in the atrocity, as well as representatives of the various traditions, participated in the service, which began with a welcome from Danny McSorley, chief executive of Omagh District Council.
This was followed by a minute's silence as the people who had gathered in the warm sunshine remembered those who lost their lives on that awful day, the pain and grief still visible on many faces.
Continuing the service, sprinkled with words of hope throughout, Vida Lake, a member of the Baha'i community, read a prayer.
Paddy McLoone, treasurer of Omagh Churches Forum, acted as a continuity announcer, making simple statements to mark each part of the service, which flowed simply and smoothly.
As the service unfolded, a slow procession made up of people of both traditions, including Irish dancers and pipe band members donning their kilts, made their way with arms linked, across the bridge from the Dublin Road corner to the memorial garden.
The procession group then formed a semi-circle around the platform in front of the memorial garden.
A poem about peace and hope entitled 'Orange and Green' was written in 1997 by Shaun McLaughlin, of Buncrana (who died in the bombing), and his schoolfriends, Laura Doherty, Kelly-Anne Gallivan, Paul Deery, Elizabeth O'Donnell and Sean Gallanagh.
It was set to music by Swedish professor, Erik Westberg, sung by 8,000 choristers in 56 countries at dawn on Millennium Day and was played
symbolically as the procession crossed the bridge.
The Rev Louise Crawford, Church of Ireland curate, Pio McCann, whose daughter Diane, was injured and Clare Radford, whose brother, Alan, was killed, read verses from the Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremiah, and music student, Paul Taggart, then sang and played 'Love Can Build A Bridge' with guitar accompaniment.
During the music the Rev. William Seale, Church of Ireland rector, Monsignor Joseph Donnelly, Parish Priest, and Rev. Phillip Corrigan, of the Methodist Church, came to the platform. Monsignor Donnelly and Mr Seale read from the books of John and the Galatians. Mr Corrigan read a prayer.
Slow air
Michael Gallagher a traditional fiddler, played the slow air, 'I am asleep' on the fiddle as John Mallon, Ulster Project leader and Estelle Harkness, Ulster Project teenager, prepared to read The Voice of the Churches, and Margaret Mitchell, soprano, then sang a hymn.
'Voices' were read by Iris Moffitt-Scott, widow of Malvern, killed in June 1983, and stepmother of Louise Scott who was injured in the bombing; Godfrey and Anne Wilson, whose daughter Lorraine died in Omagh; Amanda Doherty, sister of Oran who died; Sylvia Donaldson, member of Social Work Liaison Team with Spain, and Kay McGerty, widow of James, killed in July 1972.
And a quartet from St. Mary's Church Killyclogher, sang an emotional song entitled, "Jesus Christ, Lord of all, stay with us now" conducted by Andrew Batchelor.
The Lord's Prayer was then said in Irish by Amanda Doherty, and in Spanish by Sylvia Donaldson, and in English by Rev. Cameron MacDonald, padre, Lisanelly army camp.
All clergy present at the service gathered on the platform for the dismissal, which was led by the Rev. John Murdoch, of the Presbyterian Church.
The service drew to a close with the laying of floral tributes. An official wreath was laid by Danny McSorley, on behalf of the people of Omagh and district. Bereaved families then laid floral tributes in memory of loved ones.
As the service ended people passed through the Memorial garden, looking at the flowers, standing chatting to each other, offering words and physical gestures of support and comfort.... just remembering.