VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE FORGOTTEN
Victims and their families are forgotten...'
Sir,
It is hard to believe that nine years have passed since the Omagh bombing, which killed 29 people and left many others seriously injured.
I shall never forget the day of the bombing. At the time of the explosion, I was on my feet in my own Orange Lodge (Lord Carson Memorial LOL 20) - back in Farnham, Surrey - giving an account of a most enjoyable 'Twelfth' demonstration the month before, when I had walked with three good friends from Omagh, ie Wilfred Breen (of Blacksessiagh LOL 226) and Fred and Bryan White (of Fireagh LOL 468).
On leaving my lodge meeting, I switched on my mobile phone and immediately received a barrage of messages from Northern Ireland in general and Omagh, in particular informing me about the explosion.
I tried in vain to reach Fred and Bryan, Wilfred and others, in Omagh but all the lines were either down or engaged, as others were undoubtedly trying to reach the County Hospital, anxious for news of loved ones.
It was not until later that I learnt the awful news that father and son (Fred and Bryan) were among those murdered. My thoughts went immediately to, and remain with, Edith (Fred's widow and Bryan's mother) and all those who lost loved ones in this evil atrocity.
Today, it seems to me, victims and then-families are forgotten as terrorist prisoners are released, far-reaching changes to policing and the criminal justice system are announced, army watchtowers are prematurely demolished and Operation Banner comes to an end.
Amidst the frantic rush to appease the terrorists and cobble together some unnatural undemocratic form of devolved government in Northern Ireland, the feelings of those who have lost loved ones and the quest to afford Northern Ireland the same democratic standards as apply elsewhere in the United Kingdom appears to be ignored or lost, to the detriment of us all.
To that end, one warmly commends the work of West Tyrone Voice in providing practical support for the families of those killed during the 'Troubles' and the healthy scepticism of its director, Dr Hazlett Lynch," towards the ongoing shenanigans masquerading as 'the peace process'.
Proverbs 29:2 teaches us that 'when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn'. It is my solemn prayer that (i) the perpetrators of the Omagh bombing will be brought to justice for this terrible atrocity; (ii) the victims and their families of this and other massacres will not be forgotten; (iii) the Union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be strengthened daily; (iv) the long-suffering people of Northern Ireland will enjoy equality of citizenship within the United Kingdom sooner rather than later; and (v) above all else, that righteous government will replace the ungodly and unwashed administrations one sees all too clearly in Stormont and Westminster, so we might once again rejoice rather than mourn.
Yours,
Christopher Luke
Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent
Sir,
It is hard to believe that nine years have passed since the Omagh bombing, which killed 29 people and left many others seriously injured.
I shall never forget the day of the bombing. At the time of the explosion, I was on my feet in my own Orange Lodge (Lord Carson Memorial LOL 20) - back in Farnham, Surrey - giving an account of a most enjoyable 'Twelfth' demonstration the month before, when I had walked with three good friends from Omagh, ie Wilfred Breen (of Blacksessiagh LOL 226) and Fred and Bryan White (of Fireagh LOL 468).
On leaving my lodge meeting, I switched on my mobile phone and immediately received a barrage of messages from Northern Ireland in general and Omagh, in particular informing me about the explosion.
I tried in vain to reach Fred and Bryan, Wilfred and others, in Omagh but all the lines were either down or engaged, as others were undoubtedly trying to reach the County Hospital, anxious for news of loved ones.
It was not until later that I learnt the awful news that father and son (Fred and Bryan) were among those murdered. My thoughts went immediately to, and remain with, Edith (Fred's widow and Bryan's mother) and all those who lost loved ones in this evil atrocity.
Today, it seems to me, victims and then-families are forgotten as terrorist prisoners are released, far-reaching changes to policing and the criminal justice system are announced, army watchtowers are prematurely demolished and Operation Banner comes to an end.
Amidst the frantic rush to appease the terrorists and cobble together some unnatural undemocratic form of devolved government in Northern Ireland, the feelings of those who have lost loved ones and the quest to afford Northern Ireland the same democratic standards as apply elsewhere in the United Kingdom appears to be ignored or lost, to the detriment of us all.
To that end, one warmly commends the work of West Tyrone Voice in providing practical support for the families of those killed during the 'Troubles' and the healthy scepticism of its director, Dr Hazlett Lynch," towards the ongoing shenanigans masquerading as 'the peace process'.
Proverbs 29:2 teaches us that 'when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn'. It is my solemn prayer that (i) the perpetrators of the Omagh bombing will be brought to justice for this terrible atrocity; (ii) the victims and their families of this and other massacres will not be forgotten; (iii) the Union of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be strengthened daily; (iv) the long-suffering people of Northern Ireland will enjoy equality of citizenship within the United Kingdom sooner rather than later; and (v) above all else, that righteous government will replace the ungodly and unwashed administrations one sees all too clearly in Stormont and Westminster, so we might once again rejoice rather than mourn.
Yours,
Christopher Luke
Royal Tunbridge Wells Kent
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1892
Published Date: 16-Aug-07
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