OMAGH SERVICE TO REMEMBER DEAD - NINE YEARS ON
Omagh service to remember bomb victims - nine years on
by Karen McPhilemy
THE ninth anniversary of the Omagh bomb, which claimed the lives of 31 people including unborn twins on August 15, 1998, will be commemorated on Sunday afternoon at the Memorial Garden at Drumragh Avenue.
Organised by Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG), the inter-denominational service of prayer, music and reflection will take place at 3pm.
This is now the fourth year that OSSHG has hosted the event. However, next year the service will be a civic-led event organised by Omagh District Council, as it will be the 10 years since the atrocity.
Among those attending the service will be representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish governments; senior official political director of the Northern Ireland Office, Chris Mccabe, Consul General of Spain, Dr Valdes, and Irish Minister of State, with responsibility
for equality issues at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Sean Power.
There will also be representatives from the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
During the 40-minute service, a message of support will also be read out from the American Government.
Representatives from various traditions will also participate in the event, including the Pax Christi group from Ireland, as well as representatives from various local churches.
Donegal-based gospel singer, Leslie Matthews, originally from Newtownstewart, and Don Sullivan will provide musical contributions, as well as St Eugene's Brass Band.
Mr Sullivan, who was born in Omagh, will be singing 'Omagh Town', a song that is included in his album. He was the first (and to date) the only Irishman to have recorded an album of his own original songs in Nashville Tennessee. The recording took place in Elvis Presley's favourite studio at RCA; studio B. In the song 'Omagh Town', Mr Sullivan recalls and reflects on his time as a young man in Omagh, and he also reflects on the town's tragic experience with the bombing on August 15, 1998, which respects those who suffered.
Commenting on the event, the chairman of the self-help group, Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21-year-old son, Aidan, in the atrocity, said: "Following the success of last year's service, this year's is designed to provide comfort to the bereaved, injured and traumatized families, while being uplifting in nature.
"We are delighted to have representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish Governments attending the service this year. As always we will be expressing our sympathy with the many victims of terrorist -related atrocities throughout the world.
"We invite and welcome everyone to come along and join us on Sunday to remember and honour all those who died and those who are still suffering."
Following the service at the Memorial Garden, refreshments will be available at Omagh library.
by Karen McPhilemy
THE ninth anniversary of the Omagh bomb, which claimed the lives of 31 people including unborn twins on August 15, 1998, will be commemorated on Sunday afternoon at the Memorial Garden at Drumragh Avenue.
Organised by Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG), the inter-denominational service of prayer, music and reflection will take place at 3pm.
This is now the fourth year that OSSHG has hosted the event. However, next year the service will be a civic-led event organised by Omagh District Council, as it will be the 10 years since the atrocity.
Among those attending the service will be representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish governments; senior official political director of the Northern Ireland Office, Chris Mccabe, Consul General of Spain, Dr Valdes, and Irish Minister of State, with responsibility
for equality issues at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Sean Power.
There will also be representatives from the Northern Ireland Civil Service and the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs.
During the 40-minute service, a message of support will also be read out from the American Government.
Representatives from various traditions will also participate in the event, including the Pax Christi group from Ireland, as well as representatives from various local churches.
Donegal-based gospel singer, Leslie Matthews, originally from Newtownstewart, and Don Sullivan will provide musical contributions, as well as St Eugene's Brass Band.
Mr Sullivan, who was born in Omagh, will be singing 'Omagh Town', a song that is included in his album. He was the first (and to date) the only Irishman to have recorded an album of his own original songs in Nashville Tennessee. The recording took place in Elvis Presley's favourite studio at RCA; studio B. In the song 'Omagh Town', Mr Sullivan recalls and reflects on his time as a young man in Omagh, and he also reflects on the town's tragic experience with the bombing on August 15, 1998, which respects those who suffered.
Commenting on the event, the chairman of the self-help group, Michael Gallagher, who lost his 21-year-old son, Aidan, in the atrocity, said: "Following the success of last year's service, this year's is designed to provide comfort to the bereaved, injured and traumatized families, while being uplifting in nature.
"We are delighted to have representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish Governments attending the service this year. As always we will be expressing our sympathy with the many victims of terrorist -related atrocities throughout the world.
"We invite and welcome everyone to come along and join us on Sunday to remember and honour all those who died and those who are still suffering."
Following the service at the Memorial Garden, refreshments will be available at Omagh library.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1889
Published Date: 09-Aug-07
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