HUNDREDS GATHER TO REMEMBER VICTIMS OF OMAGH ATROCITY
Hundreds gather to remember victims of Omagh atrocity - eight years on
by Claire Anthony
SEVERAL hundred people came together in the centre of Omagh on Sunday afternoon for a special service of remembrance to mark the eighth anniversary of the Omagh bombing.
Drumragh Avenue came to a standstill, as people came from near and far to the memorial garden, placed there in memory of the 31 people, including unborn twins, who died when carnage unfolded on August 15, 1998, just a few hundred yards away on Market Street.
The simple and poignant interdenominational service was blessed with dry weather, and the garden itself, in full and glorious bloom, was the perfect backdrop for an uplifting programme of readings, prayer and song.
The service began with a welcome from Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, whose son, Aiden, was killed in the Real IRA blast. He reminded those present that the service was not only to remember the Omagh victims, but also all those who had been affected by conflict across the world in the eight years since.
He also extended a welcome to Minister David Cairns, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, representing the British government, Mr Brendan Smyth, Minister of State, and his wife, Ann, representing the Irish government, and Mr Edward Godfrey, representing the Victims' Unit.
The Rev William Seale then read Psalm 27, and this was followed by 'The God of Dark Waters', a reflection by Rev Kevin Mullan.
The assembled crowd then joined in the hymn 'The Old Rugged Cross', led by musician, Leslie Matthews, formerly from Newtownstewart, now living in St Johnston.
Mr Nicholas Cassidy, of the Omagh Ethnic Community Support group, read a poem in Spanish and then in English, in memory of the two Spaniards who were killed in the bombing. This was followed by a reading from the Gospel of St Matthew by Rev. Farren.
A sombre moment came when a representative of Pax Christi, the Catholic movement for peace, read the names of those that lost their lives in the explosion - a long list of parents, siblings, children and friends -before a minute's silence was observed in their honour.
St Eugene's Brass Band played a hymn, and prayers were led by Rev Paul Gallucci and Mr Seale.
The laying of flowers was particularly poignant, as relatives of those who died - many of them children -came forward to lay wreaths and bouquets in memory of their loved ones while the hymn 'Forever Friend' was sung by Leslie Matthews.
One of these was the granddaughter of Lawrence Rush, Libbi Rose, named after her grandmother, who was killed in the massacre.
The service was brought to a close with the saying of the Lord's Prayer - both in English and in Irish, before a blessing read by Mr Seale.
Mr Gallagher then invited everyone to the library headquarters for refreshments.
Commenting on this year's memorial event, Mr Gallagher said: "From our point of view the holding of the service was the right thing to do, as it gives the families an important opportunity to come together when they might not otherwise do so. We feel it is important to do that as long as there is a need for it.
"We had excellent local support and both governments have always sent high level ministers, which shows the importance they still place on remembering what happened in Omagh in August 1998."
by Claire Anthony
SEVERAL hundred people came together in the centre of Omagh on Sunday afternoon for a special service of remembrance to mark the eighth anniversary of the Omagh bombing.
Drumragh Avenue came to a standstill, as people came from near and far to the memorial garden, placed there in memory of the 31 people, including unborn twins, who died when carnage unfolded on August 15, 1998, just a few hundred yards away on Market Street.
The simple and poignant interdenominational service was blessed with dry weather, and the garden itself, in full and glorious bloom, was the perfect backdrop for an uplifting programme of readings, prayer and song.
The service began with a welcome from Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, whose son, Aiden, was killed in the Real IRA blast. He reminded those present that the service was not only to remember the Omagh victims, but also all those who had been affected by conflict across the world in the eight years since.
He also extended a welcome to Minister David Cairns, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, representing the British government, Mr Brendan Smyth, Minister of State, and his wife, Ann, representing the Irish government, and Mr Edward Godfrey, representing the Victims' Unit.
The Rev William Seale then read Psalm 27, and this was followed by 'The God of Dark Waters', a reflection by Rev Kevin Mullan.
The assembled crowd then joined in the hymn 'The Old Rugged Cross', led by musician, Leslie Matthews, formerly from Newtownstewart, now living in St Johnston.
Mr Nicholas Cassidy, of the Omagh Ethnic Community Support group, read a poem in Spanish and then in English, in memory of the two Spaniards who were killed in the bombing. This was followed by a reading from the Gospel of St Matthew by Rev. Farren.
A sombre moment came when a representative of Pax Christi, the Catholic movement for peace, read the names of those that lost their lives in the explosion - a long list of parents, siblings, children and friends -before a minute's silence was observed in their honour.
St Eugene's Brass Band played a hymn, and prayers were led by Rev Paul Gallucci and Mr Seale.
The laying of flowers was particularly poignant, as relatives of those who died - many of them children -came forward to lay wreaths and bouquets in memory of their loved ones while the hymn 'Forever Friend' was sung by Leslie Matthews.
One of these was the granddaughter of Lawrence Rush, Libbi Rose, named after her grandmother, who was killed in the massacre.
The service was brought to a close with the saying of the Lord's Prayer - both in English and in Irish, before a blessing read by Mr Seale.
Mr Gallagher then invited everyone to the library headquarters for refreshments.
Commenting on this year's memorial event, Mr Gallagher said: "From our point of view the holding of the service was the right thing to do, as it gives the families an important opportunity to come together when they might not otherwise do so. We feel it is important to do that as long as there is a need for it.
"We had excellent local support and both governments have always sent high level ministers, which shows the importance they still place on remembering what happened in Omagh in August 1998."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1837
Published Date: 17-Aug-06
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