POIGNANT SERVICE MARKS 13TH ANNIVERSARY OF OMAGH BOMB ATROCITY
Poignant service marks 13th anniversary of Omagh bomb atrocity
Murdered constable Ronan Kerr also remembered
by Karen Mullan
'WE will never forget those who lost their lives so needlessly' at the hands of 'wickedness and evil'. That was the message delivered by Omagh Self Help and Support Group stalwart, Michael Gallagher, following the service to mark the 13th anniversary of the Omagh bomb atrocity of August 15, 1998.
As intermittent spells of sunshine broke through the clouds, relatives, friends and sympathisers gathered at the Garden of Remembrance off Drumragh Avenue in the town on Sunday afternoon where an inter-denominational service of prayer, music and reflection was organised by the Omagh Self Help and Support Group (OSHSG).
Entitled 'Remembering the Past, Looking to the Future', this year's ceremony also remembered Omagh police constable, Ronan Kerr, who was brutally murdered in a dissident car bomb attack outside his Gortin Road home just four months ago.
The short service was attended by a number of dignitaries, including representatives from the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Office, as well as Omagh District Council vice-chairman, Ross Hussey, who is a West Tyrone Assembly member.
Once again this year's low key service saw representatives from various traditions taking part including the Pax Christi group from Ireland, a non-profit, nongovernmental Catholic peace movement, which has been working in Ireland since 1958.
Music at the service was provided by St Eugene's Brass Band, and Donegal-based gospel singer, Lesley Matthews, originally from Newtownstewart, who sang the hymn 'How Great Thou Art".
Mr Matthews also sang 'One Day at a Time' as the victims' family members and others in attendance laid flowers in memory of the 29 people, including a woman pregnant with unborn twins, who were killed in the Real IRA car bomb atrocity. As well as local people, Spanish and Buncrana visitors to the town on the fateful day were also among the victims.
Bible readings were given by Rev Ian Gilpin, from the First Presbyterian Non-Subscribing Church in Moira, and Rev Joe Sweeney, of Omagh Methodist Church.
A self-penned poem entitled 'Voice from the Heart' was recited by Denis Coffey, from Blackrock, Dublin, while Sandra Patterson, from Omagh, read the poem 'When tomorrow starts without me'. A poem in Spanish was also recited by Marianne Marechaux, while Klaudia Tumidaiewicz, from Poland, recited the poem 'Let us hurry to love people, they depart so quickly' in her native Polish language.
Dnimquin Parish Priest, Rev Kevin Mullan, who was among the first on the scene of the atrocity, gave a poignant reflection in which he recalled the 13 summers that had passed.
"For 13 summers the flowers have come, both by sun and rain and we have placed them with our dearest ones, who should have been safe and free, the delight of our eyes," he said.
Following the fitting reflection, two members of the Pax Christi Group called out the Roll of Honour of the names of all the victims of the Omagh bomb. Prayers were also said for all those injured
and traumatised as a result of the atrocity and all victims of international terrorism worldwide.
A minute's silence in remembrance of the victims followed before St Eugene's Brass Band performed the hymn 'Amazing Grace'.
The final blessing was then given by Rev Joe Sweeney and Mr Gallagher, who lost his 21-year-old son, Aiden, in the bombing, officially closed the ceremony by extending a special thanks to all those who took part and attended the service.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Gallagher, said he was 'moved' by those who continued to support the service and remember those killed 13 years later.
"I think it is very moving the fact that people still come out 13 years on and remember those who died and those who were injured. The idea of a communal memorial is important, it is important that we come together and support each other," he said.
"It is important that we do remember and continue to remember and also send a message out to those who want to cause more death and hurt, that we will never forget those who lost their lives so needlessly.
"It was also important today to remember Ronan Kerr and other victims who died as a result of wickedness and evil."
Also speaking after the ceremony, Mr Michael Smith, representing the Irish government, said the "people of the Republic stand with the people of Omagh".
Northern Ireland Office representative. Stephen Sweeney, who attended on behalf of the Secretary of State, described the ceremony as a 'beautiful moving service'.
Murdered constable Ronan Kerr also remembered
by Karen Mullan
'WE will never forget those who lost their lives so needlessly' at the hands of 'wickedness and evil'. That was the message delivered by Omagh Self Help and Support Group stalwart, Michael Gallagher, following the service to mark the 13th anniversary of the Omagh bomb atrocity of August 15, 1998.
As intermittent spells of sunshine broke through the clouds, relatives, friends and sympathisers gathered at the Garden of Remembrance off Drumragh Avenue in the town on Sunday afternoon where an inter-denominational service of prayer, music and reflection was organised by the Omagh Self Help and Support Group (OSHSG).
Entitled 'Remembering the Past, Looking to the Future', this year's ceremony also remembered Omagh police constable, Ronan Kerr, who was brutally murdered in a dissident car bomb attack outside his Gortin Road home just four months ago.
The short service was attended by a number of dignitaries, including representatives from the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Office, as well as Omagh District Council vice-chairman, Ross Hussey, who is a West Tyrone Assembly member.
Once again this year's low key service saw representatives from various traditions taking part including the Pax Christi group from Ireland, a non-profit, nongovernmental Catholic peace movement, which has been working in Ireland since 1958.
Music at the service was provided by St Eugene's Brass Band, and Donegal-based gospel singer, Lesley Matthews, originally from Newtownstewart, who sang the hymn 'How Great Thou Art".
Mr Matthews also sang 'One Day at a Time' as the victims' family members and others in attendance laid flowers in memory of the 29 people, including a woman pregnant with unborn twins, who were killed in the Real IRA car bomb atrocity. As well as local people, Spanish and Buncrana visitors to the town on the fateful day were also among the victims.
Bible readings were given by Rev Ian Gilpin, from the First Presbyterian Non-Subscribing Church in Moira, and Rev Joe Sweeney, of Omagh Methodist Church.
A self-penned poem entitled 'Voice from the Heart' was recited by Denis Coffey, from Blackrock, Dublin, while Sandra Patterson, from Omagh, read the poem 'When tomorrow starts without me'. A poem in Spanish was also recited by Marianne Marechaux, while Klaudia Tumidaiewicz, from Poland, recited the poem 'Let us hurry to love people, they depart so quickly' in her native Polish language.
Dnimquin Parish Priest, Rev Kevin Mullan, who was among the first on the scene of the atrocity, gave a poignant reflection in which he recalled the 13 summers that had passed.
"For 13 summers the flowers have come, both by sun and rain and we have placed them with our dearest ones, who should have been safe and free, the delight of our eyes," he said.
Following the fitting reflection, two members of the Pax Christi Group called out the Roll of Honour of the names of all the victims of the Omagh bomb. Prayers were also said for all those injured
and traumatised as a result of the atrocity and all victims of international terrorism worldwide.
A minute's silence in remembrance of the victims followed before St Eugene's Brass Band performed the hymn 'Amazing Grace'.
The final blessing was then given by Rev Joe Sweeney and Mr Gallagher, who lost his 21-year-old son, Aiden, in the bombing, officially closed the ceremony by extending a special thanks to all those who took part and attended the service.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Gallagher, said he was 'moved' by those who continued to support the service and remember those killed 13 years later.
"I think it is very moving the fact that people still come out 13 years on and remember those who died and those who were injured. The idea of a communal memorial is important, it is important that we come together and support each other," he said.
"It is important that we do remember and continue to remember and also send a message out to those who want to cause more death and hurt, that we will never forget those who lost their lives so needlessly.
"It was also important today to remember Ronan Kerr and other victims who died as a result of wickedness and evil."
Also speaking after the ceremony, Mr Michael Smith, representing the Irish government, said the "people of the Republic stand with the people of Omagh".
Northern Ireland Office representative. Stephen Sweeney, who attended on behalf of the Secretary of State, described the ceremony as a 'beautiful moving service'.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/2016
Published Date: 18-Aug-11
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