OMAGH FALLS SILENT IN MEMORY OF BOMB VICTIMS
Omagh falls silent in memory of bomb victims - seven years on
by Olga Bradshaw
SEVERAL hundred people, including relatives of the 29 people and unborn twins, to die in the August 15,1998, bombing horror in Omagh, stood in silent tribute to their loved ones on Sunday.
The act of reflection took place to mark the seventh anniversary of the atrocity - the official anniversary of which to the exact date was on Monday.
The short, but poignant service, was organised by the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, to remember and to honour those who died - and also those who are still suffering as a result of what became known as the worst single atrocity of the province's Troubles. Those who died in the recent London bombing were also remembered in prayer and thought.
The service began shortly after 3pm, when the chairman of the Support and Self-Help Group, Mr Michael Gallagher, officially welcomed all, and in thanking people for attending he extended a particular welcome to NIO Minister, Lord Jeff Rooker, and Ms Mary Hanafin, the Irish government's Minister for Education and Science, as well as Mr John Clarke, from the Victims' Liaison Unit.
"We also remember all of the victims of terrorism, especially those who died in the London bombings of July 7," Mr Gallagher said.
The simple, but dignified service, which included a minute's silence and flower laying ceremony, began with the reading of Psalm 121 by Rev Richard Hall, padre at St Lucia Barracks in Omagh, and was followed with a Scripture reading from the Book of Revelation, verses 1 to 4, read by Mrs Marion Radford, whose 16-year-old son, Alan, was one of those to perish in the bombing.
'Amazing Grace'
Well-known local Gospel singer, Mr Leslie Matthews, accompanying himself on guitar, sang the hymn 'Amazing Grace', while a Spanish poem by Gabriela Mistral, 'Toda la naturaleza es un anhelo de servicio', to remember the Spanish victims in Omagh, was read by Mr Nick Cassidy, of the town's ethnic support group, which he then translated into English.
As they had done in past years, members of the Christian organisation, Pax Christi Group, attended the service and two of their members, Ms Mairead McKeown and John Harkin, read the Roll of Honour - a list of names of those who had died in the bombing, following which they said they also prayed for all those who were injured and traumatised as a result of August 15,1998.
The Roll of Honour was followed by a minute's silence, and the members of St Eugene's Brass Band then accompanied Mr Matthews for the singing of the hymn 'Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven'.
Prayers of Hope
The first of the Prayers of Hope were read by Rev Ian Mairs, minister of Mountjoy and Drumlegagh Presbyterian Churches, who remembered not only the dead and suffering of Omagh, but also prayed for grace for those suffering loss of loved ones because of the London bombings, and all other people who had been affected by acts of terrorism since the memorial service in Omagh last year.
"Help us to be channels for your grace to flow to others, for your peace to calm a troubled land and for your forgiveness to restore hope and make new beginnings," he said.
Rev Thomas Canning, from the Drumragh parish, Sacred Heart Church in Omagh, prayed specifically for consolation for the families of those killed, injured or traumatised by the Omagh bombing, while Rev William Seale, rector of St Columba's Parish Church, in Omagh, prayed for the forgiveness of human prejudice and pride.
Praying for forgiveness for blasphemies which breed bitterness, hatred and desperate corruption, he continued: "Forgive us when we allow the colour of our skin to create barriers and shackles which disadvantage millions of people whom you created and love. Cure this scourge by the power of your love. Restore our minds so that we may rejoice in human dignity and racial equality."
The Laying of Flowers ceremony began with Little Jayne Doherty, a niece of Oran Doherty, one of the three little Buncrana boys killed in the Omagh tragedy, laying a floral arrangement, and among the many wreaths and flowers placed in the Garden of Remembrance was a wreath honouring those killed in the London bombing.
The Lord's Prayer was recited in both English and Irish, before Fr Canning performed the Blessing, and Mr Gallagher thanked those for attending and invited everyone to tea or coffee in Omagh Library headquarters at Spillar's Place.
Speaking following the service, Lord Rooker, on his first visit to the town, commented: "We have to learn from each other in a way, to settle conflicts, to learn to live together peacefully and to be kind to each other as well. And we also have to learn the lesson to try and settle conflict by talking rather than fighting. We have done too much of that in the past, and unfortunately, done too much of it around the world,"he said.
He said that the primary lesson people could learn, given that the Service of Remembrance had been held on the eve of the 60th anniversary of VJ Day, was for people to develop tolerance and equality of treatment for each individual as a human being, irrespective of where they came from, what their background is, or their religion".
And he added: "We have to live as good neighbours with everybody."
by Olga Bradshaw
SEVERAL hundred people, including relatives of the 29 people and unborn twins, to die in the August 15,1998, bombing horror in Omagh, stood in silent tribute to their loved ones on Sunday.
The act of reflection took place to mark the seventh anniversary of the atrocity - the official anniversary of which to the exact date was on Monday.
The short, but poignant service, was organised by the Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, to remember and to honour those who died - and also those who are still suffering as a result of what became known as the worst single atrocity of the province's Troubles. Those who died in the recent London bombing were also remembered in prayer and thought.
The service began shortly after 3pm, when the chairman of the Support and Self-Help Group, Mr Michael Gallagher, officially welcomed all, and in thanking people for attending he extended a particular welcome to NIO Minister, Lord Jeff Rooker, and Ms Mary Hanafin, the Irish government's Minister for Education and Science, as well as Mr John Clarke, from the Victims' Liaison Unit.
"We also remember all of the victims of terrorism, especially those who died in the London bombings of July 7," Mr Gallagher said.
The simple, but dignified service, which included a minute's silence and flower laying ceremony, began with the reading of Psalm 121 by Rev Richard Hall, padre at St Lucia Barracks in Omagh, and was followed with a Scripture reading from the Book of Revelation, verses 1 to 4, read by Mrs Marion Radford, whose 16-year-old son, Alan, was one of those to perish in the bombing.
'Amazing Grace'
Well-known local Gospel singer, Mr Leslie Matthews, accompanying himself on guitar, sang the hymn 'Amazing Grace', while a Spanish poem by Gabriela Mistral, 'Toda la naturaleza es un anhelo de servicio', to remember the Spanish victims in Omagh, was read by Mr Nick Cassidy, of the town's ethnic support group, which he then translated into English.
As they had done in past years, members of the Christian organisation, Pax Christi Group, attended the service and two of their members, Ms Mairead McKeown and John Harkin, read the Roll of Honour - a list of names of those who had died in the bombing, following which they said they also prayed for all those who were injured and traumatised as a result of August 15,1998.
The Roll of Honour was followed by a minute's silence, and the members of St Eugene's Brass Band then accompanied Mr Matthews for the singing of the hymn 'Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven'.
Prayers of Hope
The first of the Prayers of Hope were read by Rev Ian Mairs, minister of Mountjoy and Drumlegagh Presbyterian Churches, who remembered not only the dead and suffering of Omagh, but also prayed for grace for those suffering loss of loved ones because of the London bombings, and all other people who had been affected by acts of terrorism since the memorial service in Omagh last year.
"Help us to be channels for your grace to flow to others, for your peace to calm a troubled land and for your forgiveness to restore hope and make new beginnings," he said.
Rev Thomas Canning, from the Drumragh parish, Sacred Heart Church in Omagh, prayed specifically for consolation for the families of those killed, injured or traumatised by the Omagh bombing, while Rev William Seale, rector of St Columba's Parish Church, in Omagh, prayed for the forgiveness of human prejudice and pride.
Praying for forgiveness for blasphemies which breed bitterness, hatred and desperate corruption, he continued: "Forgive us when we allow the colour of our skin to create barriers and shackles which disadvantage millions of people whom you created and love. Cure this scourge by the power of your love. Restore our minds so that we may rejoice in human dignity and racial equality."
The Laying of Flowers ceremony began with Little Jayne Doherty, a niece of Oran Doherty, one of the three little Buncrana boys killed in the Omagh tragedy, laying a floral arrangement, and among the many wreaths and flowers placed in the Garden of Remembrance was a wreath honouring those killed in the London bombing.
The Lord's Prayer was recited in both English and Irish, before Fr Canning performed the Blessing, and Mr Gallagher thanked those for attending and invited everyone to tea or coffee in Omagh Library headquarters at Spillar's Place.
Speaking following the service, Lord Rooker, on his first visit to the town, commented: "We have to learn from each other in a way, to settle conflicts, to learn to live together peacefully and to be kind to each other as well. And we also have to learn the lesson to try and settle conflict by talking rather than fighting. We have done too much of that in the past, and unfortunately, done too much of it around the world,"he said.
He said that the primary lesson people could learn, given that the Service of Remembrance had been held on the eve of the 60th anniversary of VJ Day, was for people to develop tolerance and equality of treatment for each individual as a human being, irrespective of where they came from, what their background is, or their religion".
And he added: "We have to live as good neighbours with everybody."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1819
Published Date: 18-Aug-05
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