OMAGH'S HEART RIPPED OUT AS BODIES WERE IDENTIFIED
Omagh's Heart ripped out as bodies were identified
FAMILIES and communities on both sides of the border were united in grief in the wake of the horrific bomb attack which ripped through Omagh on Saturday afternoon, claiming 28 innocent lives.
Most of the victims who had been identified last night - 14 women, five men, four boys and three girls - were from the Omagh area.
Three boys from Co Donegal, a woman originally from Co Cork, and two young Spanish people were also killed.
The grim list slowly lengthened yesterday, as distressed family members visited the temporary morgue in the town's army barracks to identify bodies.
The incident centre set up in Omagh's sports complex was busy all day, with people seeking information of friends and relatives who were unaccounted for.
People flocked to churches of all denominations throughout the day, remembering those who were killed and injured, and uniting in prayer.
Members of the emergency services spent the day carrying out the arduous task of identifying limbs and other body parts which were ripped from the victims.
The extent of the injuries to dozens of people required hospital staff to amputate arms and legs. Many of the victims had taken advantage of Saturday's fine weather to shop for school uniforms, while others were looking forward to the festival parade later in the evening. Last night, the people of Omagh were still trying to come to terms with the gruesome consequences of the bomb, which has devastated their lives and their town, while church and political leaders united in condemnation of the brutal terrorist attack.
The Donegal town of Buncrana was also in mourning for three young boys and two Spanish visitors who were killed in the blast that claimed 28 lives. The boys, aged between 8 and 12, were on a day-trip with a group of Spanish students visiting their town to learn English.
They were unofficially named last night as eight-year-old Oran Doherty, 12-year-old Sean McLaughlin, and James Barker, also 12.
A 12-year-old boy, Fernando Blasco, and his 24-year-old teacher, Rosio Abad, both from Madrid, were also among the victims of the bomb.
Spain's Foreign Minister and deputy Prime Minister are expected to arrive in Northern Ireland today, along with families of the dead and injured Spanish visitors.
The town was suffering from complete shock and disbelief at the tragic news yesterday, as the families and friends of the young victims were being comforted by neighbours.
It emerged yesterday that the 65-year-old woman who died along with her daughter and 18-month-old granddaughter was a native of North Cork.
Mary Grimes, a retired nurse moved to Co Tyrone 35 years ago, but originally hailed from Lismire, near Kanturk, Co Cork. Her husband, James, is a native of Omagh, and the couple kept a farm at Beragh, near the town.
Saturday's blast killed the mother-of-12, along with her 30-year-old daughter, Avril Monaghan, who was heavily pregnant with twins, and her infant daughter, Maura.
News of Mrs Grimes' tragic death brought shock to the parish of Lismere where she was a regular visitor, most recently just two weeks ago. Many of her immediate family still live in the area, including three brothers and three sisters.
They were last night preparing to make the 200-mile journey to Omagh.
A further tragedy hit the Tyrone town yesterday morning, when a motorist died after colliding with an ambulance transferring victims of the bomb between hospitals.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
FAMILIES and communities on both sides of the border were united in grief in the wake of the horrific bomb attack which ripped through Omagh on Saturday afternoon, claiming 28 innocent lives.
Most of the victims who had been identified last night - 14 women, five men, four boys and three girls - were from the Omagh area.
Three boys from Co Donegal, a woman originally from Co Cork, and two young Spanish people were also killed.
The grim list slowly lengthened yesterday, as distressed family members visited the temporary morgue in the town's army barracks to identify bodies.
The incident centre set up in Omagh's sports complex was busy all day, with people seeking information of friends and relatives who were unaccounted for.
People flocked to churches of all denominations throughout the day, remembering those who were killed and injured, and uniting in prayer.
Members of the emergency services spent the day carrying out the arduous task of identifying limbs and other body parts which were ripped from the victims.
The extent of the injuries to dozens of people required hospital staff to amputate arms and legs. Many of the victims had taken advantage of Saturday's fine weather to shop for school uniforms, while others were looking forward to the festival parade later in the evening. Last night, the people of Omagh were still trying to come to terms with the gruesome consequences of the bomb, which has devastated their lives and their town, while church and political leaders united in condemnation of the brutal terrorist attack.
The Donegal town of Buncrana was also in mourning for three young boys and two Spanish visitors who were killed in the blast that claimed 28 lives. The boys, aged between 8 and 12, were on a day-trip with a group of Spanish students visiting their town to learn English.
They were unofficially named last night as eight-year-old Oran Doherty, 12-year-old Sean McLaughlin, and James Barker, also 12.
A 12-year-old boy, Fernando Blasco, and his 24-year-old teacher, Rosio Abad, both from Madrid, were also among the victims of the bomb.
Spain's Foreign Minister and deputy Prime Minister are expected to arrive in Northern Ireland today, along with families of the dead and injured Spanish visitors.
The town was suffering from complete shock and disbelief at the tragic news yesterday, as the families and friends of the young victims were being comforted by neighbours.
It emerged yesterday that the 65-year-old woman who died along with her daughter and 18-month-old granddaughter was a native of North Cork.
Mary Grimes, a retired nurse moved to Co Tyrone 35 years ago, but originally hailed from Lismire, near Kanturk, Co Cork. Her husband, James, is a native of Omagh, and the couple kept a farm at Beragh, near the town.
Saturday's blast killed the mother-of-12, along with her 30-year-old daughter, Avril Monaghan, who was heavily pregnant with twins, and her infant daughter, Maura.
News of Mrs Grimes' tragic death brought shock to the parish of Lismere where she was a regular visitor, most recently just two weeks ago. Many of her immediate family still live in the area, including three brothers and three sisters.
They were last night preparing to make the 200-mile journey to Omagh.
A further tragedy hit the Tyrone town yesterday morning, when a motorist died after colliding with an ambulance transferring victims of the bomb between hospitals.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/003
Published Date: 17-Aug-98
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