THOUSANDS GATHER IN OMAGH TO SEND RESOUNDING UNITED MESSAGE FOR PEACE
Thousands gather in Omagh to send resounding united message for peace
by Karen Mullan
THOUSANDS of people gathered in Omagh on Sunday to take part in a poignant walk to protest at the murder of PSNI constable, Reman Kerr, and to send a united message for peace.
An estimated 8,000 people from all sections of the local community and further afield filled the streets as they joined in disgust at the dissident violence that sadly returned to Omagh on the previous Saturday, when Constable Kerr was brutally murdered in a booby-trap car bomb explosion outside his Highfield Close home, just off the Gortin Road.With one simple message, 'Not in my Name', the mass crowds assembled at Omagh Leisure Complex many wearing white ribbons as a sign for peace - before setting off on the walk along the Old Mountfield Road, Mount joy Road, past the Garden of Remembrance on Drumragh Avenue, and up Market Street, along Bridge Street, before arriving at the bus depot car park.
As people from all walks of life, religious faiths, young and old, stood shoulder to shoulder, the level of community strength and solidarity sent out a clear and unwavering
message that the people of the area do not want to see a return to violence.
In scenes reminiscent of 12 years ago in the aftermath of the 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity that killed 29 people and unborn twins, Omagh once again came under the media spotlight as TV crews from all over descended on the town to capture the scenes.
As one member of the public commented: "I am so proud of the people of Omagh today, but sad to see this back in our town, I never thought I would be standing here again 12 years later."
Among those taking part in the 'Walk for Peace', were friends and relatives of Constable Kerr as well as local political representatives, clergy, and Justice Minister, David Ford.
Mr Ford said he was not attending as a Stormont Minister, but rather to 'support the people of Omagh'.
Describing the area as a place 'close to his heart', Mr Ford, whose native territory is just 10 miles outside Omagh, said it was 'only right' that he attend.
As the walk got underway shortly after 4pm, members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service stood in silence outside the Omagh station, while many businesses in the town centre pulled down their shutters and ceased trading for the duration of the event.
The walk culminated at Omagh bus depot car park, where members of Omagh Community Youth Choir sang two emotionally-charged songs, 'Rescue Me' and 'In the Arms of the Angels', before a minute's silence was observed in memory of the murdered police officer. The choir then performed a rendition of 'We Shall Overcome', before the crowds dispersed.
Stating that the event showed the 'level of anger and feeling' among the people of Omagh and further afield, Barry Brown, who helped organise the walk along with Gareth McElduff, said the level of support they had received was 'overwhelming'.
"You can see the level of anger and feeling that is so fresh in people's minds here today. We are all united here for the same thing - that we do not want to see violence back in this town or anywhere else.
"There are families here with babies and young children. These children know nothing about the Troubles and their parents do not want them to have to know or grow up in anything like this.
"Many people at the walk have their own personal stories and reasons for attending. There were a lot of people from different backgrounds and beliefs, but today they stood together in solidarity, many of whom were close to tears with emotion."
Stating that a website page on the social networking site, Facebook, is to become a permanent tribute to Konan Kerr, Mr Brown, added: "Thousands upon thousands of people have been leaving messages of support for the walk and tributes to Constable Kerr on this site. The idea now is to encourage people to post up their pictures from the Sunday's peace walk and from others held in Enniskillen, Belfast and London, to form a permanent tribute to him."
by Karen Mullan
THOUSANDS of people gathered in Omagh on Sunday to take part in a poignant walk to protest at the murder of PSNI constable, Reman Kerr, and to send a united message for peace.
An estimated 8,000 people from all sections of the local community and further afield filled the streets as they joined in disgust at the dissident violence that sadly returned to Omagh on the previous Saturday, when Constable Kerr was brutally murdered in a booby-trap car bomb explosion outside his Highfield Close home, just off the Gortin Road.With one simple message, 'Not in my Name', the mass crowds assembled at Omagh Leisure Complex many wearing white ribbons as a sign for peace - before setting off on the walk along the Old Mountfield Road, Mount joy Road, past the Garden of Remembrance on Drumragh Avenue, and up Market Street, along Bridge Street, before arriving at the bus depot car park.
As people from all walks of life, religious faiths, young and old, stood shoulder to shoulder, the level of community strength and solidarity sent out a clear and unwavering
message that the people of the area do not want to see a return to violence.
In scenes reminiscent of 12 years ago in the aftermath of the 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity that killed 29 people and unborn twins, Omagh once again came under the media spotlight as TV crews from all over descended on the town to capture the scenes.
As one member of the public commented: "I am so proud of the people of Omagh today, but sad to see this back in our town, I never thought I would be standing here again 12 years later."
Among those taking part in the 'Walk for Peace', were friends and relatives of Constable Kerr as well as local political representatives, clergy, and Justice Minister, David Ford.
Mr Ford said he was not attending as a Stormont Minister, but rather to 'support the people of Omagh'.
Describing the area as a place 'close to his heart', Mr Ford, whose native territory is just 10 miles outside Omagh, said it was 'only right' that he attend.
As the walk got underway shortly after 4pm, members of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service stood in silence outside the Omagh station, while many businesses in the town centre pulled down their shutters and ceased trading for the duration of the event.
The walk culminated at Omagh bus depot car park, where members of Omagh Community Youth Choir sang two emotionally-charged songs, 'Rescue Me' and 'In the Arms of the Angels', before a minute's silence was observed in memory of the murdered police officer. The choir then performed a rendition of 'We Shall Overcome', before the crowds dispersed.
Stating that the event showed the 'level of anger and feeling' among the people of Omagh and further afield, Barry Brown, who helped organise the walk along with Gareth McElduff, said the level of support they had received was 'overwhelming'.
"You can see the level of anger and feeling that is so fresh in people's minds here today. We are all united here for the same thing - that we do not want to see violence back in this town or anywhere else.
"There are families here with babies and young children. These children know nothing about the Troubles and their parents do not want them to have to know or grow up in anything like this.
"Many people at the walk have their own personal stories and reasons for attending. There were a lot of people from different backgrounds and beliefs, but today they stood together in solidarity, many of whom were close to tears with emotion."
Stating that a website page on the social networking site, Facebook, is to become a permanent tribute to Konan Kerr, Mr Brown, added: "Thousands upon thousands of people have been leaving messages of support for the walk and tributes to Constable Kerr on this site. The idea now is to encourage people to post up their pictures from the Sunday's peace walk and from others held in Enniskillen, Belfast and London, to form a permanent tribute to him."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/2013
Published Date: 14-Apr-11
Related Images
