IMPARTIAL PANEL APPOINTED IN BID TO END DISPUTE OVER MEMORIAL WORDING
Impartial panel appointed in bid to end dispute over memorial wording
by Emma Stewart
THE Independent Facilitation Team, appointed to agree the wording for the Omagh bomb memorial, was revealed on Tuesday of this week by Omagh District Council chief executive, and chairman of Omagh Memorial Working Group, Danny McSorley.
Led by Rev Dr John Dunlop, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the trio have been selected as an impartial panel to take on the views of the local population, before making recommendations on a proposed wording, and its positioning on the memorial itself.
Welcoming Fr Brian Lennon SJ, programme manager and founder member of Community Dialogue (NI), and Mrs Olive Hobson, who works in a peace-building role on behalf of Quaker House Belfast, Mr McSorley praised the team for their integrity and sincerity: "This team brings together wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in working with people who have suffered loss or trauma, and in dealing with issues of a sensitive, difficult and painful nature."
Noting that the selection of narrative, and its positioning, is a 'key' issue, Mr McSorley said: "Omagh District Council and Omagh Memorial Working Group have no pre-determined outcome in mind in respect of this process. We have received a range of views on the subject of wording. These views have come from some of the bereaved families, including Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, the injured and other victims.
"It is our sincere wish to ensure that all those affected by the atrocity have the opportunity to contribute and discuss their views on narrative in a private, confidential manner so that the permanent Omagh Bomb Memorial will, as far as possible, be accepted and valued by all."
Speaking at the official launch of the process, Mr Dunlop described the team as having been 'deeply moved' by the 1998 atrocity, and recognised that they will be brought 'closer to the pain and loss of Omagh than we have ever been before': "We, as a team, can only do what we have been asked to do with help from the bereaved and the injured and the people who were affected by the bomb. It is for this we ask, knowing that it will mean many of you revisiting the pain once again and explaining what you feel, and what you hope for, to the three of us who are not from Omagh."
Noting that the memorial design 'marks the atrocity, remembers those who have been killed and expresses the conviction that, however dark it may be, our hope for the future and the light of love in our hearts has not been extinguished', he asked for input from the population of Omagh to complete this project: "Our aim will be to produce a narrative that everyone can support, so that on the 10th anniversary of the bomb on the 15th August next year when the memorial is dedicated, the unity, faith and hope of the people of Omagh, standing together, will be the most eloquent, powerful and enduring response to those who planted the bomb."
Calling for community involvement, fellow member of the team, Fr Lennon added: "The fact that we're outsiders may be an advantage... we're coming to this issue with a completely open mind."
He concluded: "Unless people come to us and tell us their view, we simply won't know."
Facilitation meetings will not be attended by representatives of Omagh District Council or Omagh Memorial Working Group, and those interested in contributing their views are encouraged to register with the Independent Facilitation Team by Friday, November 23. Contact the team on 028 82256217, or by writing to Rev Dr John Dunlop, c/o Omagh District Council, The Grange, Mountjoy Road, Omagh, BT79 7BL.
The consultation programme is to continue through November and December, with recommendations being submitted to Omagh District Council in January, and the final outcome being presented at the end of February.
by Emma Stewart
THE Independent Facilitation Team, appointed to agree the wording for the Omagh bomb memorial, was revealed on Tuesday of this week by Omagh District Council chief executive, and chairman of Omagh Memorial Working Group, Danny McSorley.
Led by Rev Dr John Dunlop, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the trio have been selected as an impartial panel to take on the views of the local population, before making recommendations on a proposed wording, and its positioning on the memorial itself.
Welcoming Fr Brian Lennon SJ, programme manager and founder member of Community Dialogue (NI), and Mrs Olive Hobson, who works in a peace-building role on behalf of Quaker House Belfast, Mr McSorley praised the team for their integrity and sincerity: "This team brings together wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in working with people who have suffered loss or trauma, and in dealing with issues of a sensitive, difficult and painful nature."
Noting that the selection of narrative, and its positioning, is a 'key' issue, Mr McSorley said: "Omagh District Council and Omagh Memorial Working Group have no pre-determined outcome in mind in respect of this process. We have received a range of views on the subject of wording. These views have come from some of the bereaved families, including Omagh Support and Self-Help Group, the injured and other victims.
"It is our sincere wish to ensure that all those affected by the atrocity have the opportunity to contribute and discuss their views on narrative in a private, confidential manner so that the permanent Omagh Bomb Memorial will, as far as possible, be accepted and valued by all."
Speaking at the official launch of the process, Mr Dunlop described the team as having been 'deeply moved' by the 1998 atrocity, and recognised that they will be brought 'closer to the pain and loss of Omagh than we have ever been before': "We, as a team, can only do what we have been asked to do with help from the bereaved and the injured and the people who were affected by the bomb. It is for this we ask, knowing that it will mean many of you revisiting the pain once again and explaining what you feel, and what you hope for, to the three of us who are not from Omagh."
Noting that the memorial design 'marks the atrocity, remembers those who have been killed and expresses the conviction that, however dark it may be, our hope for the future and the light of love in our hearts has not been extinguished', he asked for input from the population of Omagh to complete this project: "Our aim will be to produce a narrative that everyone can support, so that on the 10th anniversary of the bomb on the 15th August next year when the memorial is dedicated, the unity, faith and hope of the people of Omagh, standing together, will be the most eloquent, powerful and enduring response to those who planted the bomb."
Calling for community involvement, fellow member of the team, Fr Lennon added: "The fact that we're outsiders may be an advantage... we're coming to this issue with a completely open mind."
He concluded: "Unless people come to us and tell us their view, we simply won't know."
Facilitation meetings will not be attended by representatives of Omagh District Council or Omagh Memorial Working Group, and those interested in contributing their views are encouraged to register with the Independent Facilitation Team by Friday, November 23. Contact the team on 028 82256217, or by writing to Rev Dr John Dunlop, c/o Omagh District Council, The Grange, Mountjoy Road, Omagh, BT79 7BL.
The consultation programme is to continue through November and December, with recommendations being submitted to Omagh District Council in January, and the final outcome being presented at the end of February.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/1894
Published Date: 01-Nov-07
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