TRIBUTES PAID AS FUNERAL TAKES PLACE OF OMAGH BOMB VICTIMS HUSBAND AND JUSTICE CAMPAIGNER
Tributes paid as funeral takes place of Omagh bomb victim's husband and justice campaigner
by Karen Mullan
TRIBUTES have been paid this week as the funeral of Laurence Rush, whose wife was among those killed in the 1998 Omagh bombing, took place yester-day (Tuesday).
Mr Rush, aged 70, who had been a fierce campaigner for justice for the victims of the atrocity and their relatives over the past 13 years, died on Sunday at Knockmoyle Lodge Nursing Home, outside Omagh, surrounded by family, following a lengthy illness. He is survived by his sons, Anthony and Andrew, and daughter, Siobhan, grandchildren, and wider family circle.
His wife and childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth (Libby), was among the 29 people and unborn twins that were killed in the Real IRA Omagh bomb on August 15, 1998. She had been serving
customers in the family-run business, Pine Emporium gift shop, at Market Street in the town when she was killed.
Mr Rush's daughter, Siobhan O'Neill, said her father was never the same after he lost his wife in the atrocity.
"We are just all glad he is at peace and we hope he finds happiness," she said.
A talented artist, Mr Rush was also a 'highly regarded' art teacher at the Christian Brothers' Grammar School and the then Omagh Technical College, before establishing the business, Rushe Signs, in the town.
A founder member of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Mr Rushe in recent years, had also taken out a civil action case against the PSNI Chief Constable and the NI Secretary of
State, over allegations that police failed to act on prior information gleaned from mobile phone intercepts that a Real IRA bomb was heading for Omagh on August 15, 1998.
His funeral service, officiated over by the Rev John McDevitt, took place yesterday morning (Tuesday) at the Sacred Heart Church in the town, followed by interment afterwards at St Mary's
Speaking ahead of the service, Fr McDevitt, said: "I sympathise with the family at this time, my thoughts and prayers are with them all."
Expressing sympathy to the Rush family, a spokesperson for the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, said he would always 'be remembered for his 'strength and determination' in seeking justice for those killed and injured in the Omagh bomb.
"It is with deep regret that we learned of the death of our former colleague and founder member of Omagh Support and Self Help Group. We extend our sympathies to his family and close circle of friends," said the spokesperson.
"Laurence was a fierce advocate for truth and justice over the past 13 years and has never stopped demanding answers about the death of his wife and the issues surrounding the Omagh bomb.
"Laurence will always be remembered for his strength and determination in getting to the truth, but it is unfortunate that this could not have happened in his lifetime."
Also paying tribute to him, Michael Gallagher, who lost his son, Aidan, in the atrocity, described Mr Rush as a 'bright, intelligent and creative person'.
Stating that Mr Rush had sadly, never got over the pain of losing his wife, Mr Gallagher, said: "He was very bright, he was very intelligent, and he was a very creative person".
Commenting on his determination in seeking justice in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb, Mr Gallagher continued: "He was driven to try and find answers and that was something that really consumed his life."
Meanwhile, extending his condolences to the family, SDLP West Tyrone ML A, Joe Byrne, said: "I knew Laurence Rush well, particularly when he had his own business in Omagh.
"I also got to know him during his time as a highly-regarded art teacher at Omagh College and through his keen support for and patronage of Omagh Boys' and Girls' Boxing Club, which we were both involved with. The loss of Libby in the Omagh Bomb had a devastating effect on Laurence - something that should never happen to such a loving and devoted couple, but he channelled his grief into campaigning for justice as long as he was able".
Also expressing sympathy, West Tyrone DUP MLA., Tom Buchanan, said: "It is with sadness that I learned of the death of Mr Laurence Rush, husband to Mrs Libby Rush, who was so tragically killed in the Omagh Bomb.
"Since the death of his wife in the bomb in August 1988, Laurence dedicated his life to fight for the rights of the victims and those who were so tragically injured and bereaved as a result of the Omagh Bomb in August 1988.
"The events of that brutal day deprived Laurence of his dear wife and his entire life since that day was consumed with finding answers and getting to the truth of what happened. That day, as it did for so many, changed his life forever and in his own words at the time, 'it destroyed him.'"
by Karen Mullan
TRIBUTES have been paid this week as the funeral of Laurence Rush, whose wife was among those killed in the 1998 Omagh bombing, took place yester-day (Tuesday).
Mr Rush, aged 70, who had been a fierce campaigner for justice for the victims of the atrocity and their relatives over the past 13 years, died on Sunday at Knockmoyle Lodge Nursing Home, outside Omagh, surrounded by family, following a lengthy illness. He is survived by his sons, Anthony and Andrew, and daughter, Siobhan, grandchildren, and wider family circle.
His wife and childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth (Libby), was among the 29 people and unborn twins that were killed in the Real IRA Omagh bomb on August 15, 1998. She had been serving
customers in the family-run business, Pine Emporium gift shop, at Market Street in the town when she was killed.
Mr Rush's daughter, Siobhan O'Neill, said her father was never the same after he lost his wife in the atrocity.
"We are just all glad he is at peace and we hope he finds happiness," she said.
A talented artist, Mr Rush was also a 'highly regarded' art teacher at the Christian Brothers' Grammar School and the then Omagh Technical College, before establishing the business, Rushe Signs, in the town.
A founder member of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, Mr Rushe in recent years, had also taken out a civil action case against the PSNI Chief Constable and the NI Secretary of
State, over allegations that police failed to act on prior information gleaned from mobile phone intercepts that a Real IRA bomb was heading for Omagh on August 15, 1998.
His funeral service, officiated over by the Rev John McDevitt, took place yesterday morning (Tuesday) at the Sacred Heart Church in the town, followed by interment afterwards at St Mary's
Speaking ahead of the service, Fr McDevitt, said: "I sympathise with the family at this time, my thoughts and prayers are with them all."
Expressing sympathy to the Rush family, a spokesperson for the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, said he would always 'be remembered for his 'strength and determination' in seeking justice for those killed and injured in the Omagh bomb.
"It is with deep regret that we learned of the death of our former colleague and founder member of Omagh Support and Self Help Group. We extend our sympathies to his family and close circle of friends," said the spokesperson.
"Laurence was a fierce advocate for truth and justice over the past 13 years and has never stopped demanding answers about the death of his wife and the issues surrounding the Omagh bomb.
"Laurence will always be remembered for his strength and determination in getting to the truth, but it is unfortunate that this could not have happened in his lifetime."
Also paying tribute to him, Michael Gallagher, who lost his son, Aidan, in the atrocity, described Mr Rush as a 'bright, intelligent and creative person'.
Stating that Mr Rush had sadly, never got over the pain of losing his wife, Mr Gallagher, said: "He was very bright, he was very intelligent, and he was a very creative person".
Commenting on his determination in seeking justice in the aftermath of the Omagh bomb, Mr Gallagher continued: "He was driven to try and find answers and that was something that really consumed his life."
Meanwhile, extending his condolences to the family, SDLP West Tyrone ML A, Joe Byrne, said: "I knew Laurence Rush well, particularly when he had his own business in Omagh.
"I also got to know him during his time as a highly-regarded art teacher at Omagh College and through his keen support for and patronage of Omagh Boys' and Girls' Boxing Club, which we were both involved with. The loss of Libby in the Omagh Bomb had a devastating effect on Laurence - something that should never happen to such a loving and devoted couple, but he channelled his grief into campaigning for justice as long as he was able".
Also expressing sympathy, West Tyrone DUP MLA., Tom Buchanan, said: "It is with sadness that I learned of the death of Mr Laurence Rush, husband to Mrs Libby Rush, who was so tragically killed in the Omagh Bomb.
"Since the death of his wife in the bomb in August 1988, Laurence dedicated his life to fight for the rights of the victims and those who were so tragically injured and bereaved as a result of the Omagh Bomb in August 1988.
"The events of that brutal day deprived Laurence of his dear wife and his entire life since that day was consumed with finding answers and getting to the truth of what happened. That day, as it did for so many, changed his life forever and in his own words at the time, 'it destroyed him.'"
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE CONSTITUTION
Ref: TC/2019
Published Date: 08-Mar-12
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