A ROLL CALL FROM HELL
A roll call from hell
Brenda Catherine Devine (Breda)
Aged 20 months. From Dunaroe Road in Donemana, Co Tyrone.
The toddler was due to be a flower girl at her uncle Gary's wedding this Saturday. On Saturday past she was in town with him and her mother Tracey to get shoes for the occasion when the bomb went off. Her mother is critically ill in a Belfast hospital with 60 per cent burns to her body. The wedding has been cancelled. The child was born almost three months premature but fought for her life, only to be killed in a renegade republican blast.
Maura Monaghan.
Aged 18 months. From Springtown Road in Auger, Co Tyrone
Was in her pram being pushed by her murdered mother and grandmother during a rare shopping trip to Omagh when the bomb went off.
Avril Monaghan.
Aged 30. From Springtown Road in Auger, Co Tyrone. Died with her daughter and her mother as three generations of the same family perished in the tragedy. Avril, a secretary, had four children. She was heavily pregnant with twins who also perished in the carnage, but who will not be counted in the death toll.
Mary Grimes.
Aged 65. From Patrick's Road in Beragh, Co Tyrone.
A mother of 11 who died with her daughter Avril and granddaughter Maura. Her husband Mick is said to be "devastated" at the loss of his wife, daughter and granddaughter in the moment of madness which claimed so many lives and wrecked hundreds of others.
Sean McLaughlin.
Aged 12. From Knockalla Drive, Buncrana, Co Donegal.
A bright and happy child who was with a party of Spanish and Irish schoolchildren on a day-trip to Omagh. His uncle Michael, who identified the altar boy's body, said: "I just hope that no-one ever has to go through the pain of identifying their loved one after such a devastating bomb." He was one of three boys from the same town to die.
James Barker
Aged 12. From Military Road, Port Haw, Buncrana, Co Donegal.
His mum and dad had moved to Donegal to give their children a better life just over a year ago. His father is a practising solicitor. His mother Donna Marie said he was so excited to be going to Omagh, he forgot to say goodbye as he jumped out of her car and ran to the bus. "But he did look back at me and smiled the way he normally does."
Oran Doherty.
Aged 8. From Knocknalla Drive, Buncrana, Co Donegal.
Described by his teacher Sister Emmanuel as a "blonde-haired bundle of joy." His sister Liza said he too had spoken of his excitement over the day trip out.
Fernando Blasco Baselga
Aged 12. From Arturo Sorita, Madrid, Spain.
Has been staying with a Buncrana family as part of an exchange scheme aimed at improving his English. His family arrived in Northern Ireland yesterday. His Donegal friends described him as "very friendly."
Rocio Abad Ramos.
Aged 23. From Victor de La Serra, Madrid, Spain
One of the organisers of the day out. It was her fifth year in Ireland and had progressed to team leader. She was due to leave next week to be at her sister's wedding in Spain. She was as popular in Buncrana as the next local.
Esther Nora Gibson.
Aged 36. From Radergan Road, Beragh, Co Tyrone.
A Sunday School teacher, Ms Gibson was engaged and was due to marry next July. She was a niece of DUP Assembly member Oliver Gibson. She worked in a local Desmonds shirt factory where she was extremely popular with now devastated work colleagues.
Aidan Gallagher.
Aged 21. From Circular Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
He helped run a busy garage but had left on Saturday afternoon to buy a new pair of jeans and boots after planning a night out on the town. He was an only son. His uncle Hugh, a former member of the UDR, was shot dead by the IRA in 1984.
Brenda Mary Logue.
Aged 17. From Loughmacrory Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
She had joined her mother Mary and her grandmother on a shopping trip to the market town. But she left the shop they were in to watch people running from the court house where police said a bomb had been planted. She died seconds later. Her mother and granny, who had stayed inside, escaped with minor cuts and bruises. Brenda was due to begin college next month.
Gareth Conway.
Aged 18. From Aghoghan Park, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone.
He had just left the local technical college and was due to start an engineering course at Magee College next month. His exam results are due to arrive at his home today. He is from a well-known family, with his father an all-Ireland handball player. Gareth had gone to Omagh to get new contact lenses when he was caught up in the blast.
Alan Radford
Aged 16. From Castleview Park in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Alan was one of the last people to be identified. He had gone into the town to help his mother with the weekly shopping when the bomb exploded.
Samantha McFarland
Aged 17. From Clements Villas, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
A smiling happy teenager who worked as a volunteer at the town's Oxfam shop.
She was a close friend of another girl to die, Lorraine Wilson.
Lorraine Wilson
Aged 15. From Camowen Bungalows, Omagh, Co Tyrone
Never missed a shift at the charity shop, she and Samantha were said to be inseparable. She too died instantly in the explosion.
Fred White
Aged 60. From Knockgreenan Ave, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
A well-known unionist, he was an office holder in the Ulster Unionist Association. He died alongside his son.
Brian White.
Aged 26. From Knockgreenan Ave, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Had accompanied his father into the town to help buy groceries after returning from holiday.
Elizabeth Rush.
Aged 57. From Michael Street, Omagh, Co Tyrone
Known as Libby to her friends, she ran a craft and coffee shop which caught the full brunt of the explosion. She was described as "an extremely popular" local trader by her friends.
Brian McCrory.
Aged 54 years. From Ballinamullan Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Only formally identified just before teatime last night.
Julie Victoria Hughes.
Aged 21. Beltany Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
A "brilliant" student at Dundee University in Scotland, where there are so many Northern Irish students it has been dubbed "Little Ulster". She had a holiday job in the town's Image Xpress. She ran into the full force of the blast after being evacuated from the shop.
Philomena Skelton.
Aged 49. From McCrea Park in Drumquin, Co Tyrone.
The mother-of-four only went to Omagh to shop twice a year, once before Christmas and once during the summer holidays to get school uniforms for her children. She died as her daughters tried on uniforms in a shop wrecked by the blast. Her husband Kevin, a top GAA official, was in another shop just three feet away. Crying, he said: "I escaped with cuts."
Geraldine Agnes Breslin.
Aged 43. From Drumannon Close, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
One of the Watterson's shop workers evacuated into the path of the blast. She was a Catholic. Her best friend and work colleague, Protestant Anne McCombe, 49, died alongside her. Geraldine had a 14-year-old son called Gareth.
Anne McCombe
Aged 49. From Summerhill Park in Omagh, Co Tyrone
She was described as a "very happy mother" who lived and worked for her family. Friends say she had voted in favour of the peace process in the May referendum.
Veda Elizabeth Short
Aged 56. From Gortaclare, Omagh, Co Tyrone She was another member of the Watterson staff to die in the blast, fleeing from the lingerie department after the bogus court house warning. She had three daughters, a son and a grandchild.
Jolene Brid Marlow
Aged 17. From Eskra, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
She and her 15-year-old sister Nicola had taken their great aunt Bernie Shaw, 75, on a shopping trip to Omagh, ten miles from their home. Her two relatives were badly injured in the blast. Her father Joe caused heartache in the town on Saturday night and Sunday morning as he searched frantically for his eldest daughter. She was identified on Sunday afternoon in the hospital mortuary.
Olive Hawkes
Aged 60. From Fecarry road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
The grandmother was one of the last to be identified. Her family say they will never get used to losing what they described as "a kind and loving person"
Deborah Anne Cartwright
Aged 20. From Birchwood, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Her family were too upset to talk about her. But she was one of five people murdered in the blast who had connections to Omagh High School. Like four of the other girls she was a past pupil.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Brenda Catherine Devine (Breda)
Aged 20 months. From Dunaroe Road in Donemana, Co Tyrone.
The toddler was due to be a flower girl at her uncle Gary's wedding this Saturday. On Saturday past she was in town with him and her mother Tracey to get shoes for the occasion when the bomb went off. Her mother is critically ill in a Belfast hospital with 60 per cent burns to her body. The wedding has been cancelled. The child was born almost three months premature but fought for her life, only to be killed in a renegade republican blast.
Maura Monaghan.
Aged 18 months. From Springtown Road in Auger, Co Tyrone
Was in her pram being pushed by her murdered mother and grandmother during a rare shopping trip to Omagh when the bomb went off.
Avril Monaghan.
Aged 30. From Springtown Road in Auger, Co Tyrone. Died with her daughter and her mother as three generations of the same family perished in the tragedy. Avril, a secretary, had four children. She was heavily pregnant with twins who also perished in the carnage, but who will not be counted in the death toll.
Mary Grimes.
Aged 65. From Patrick's Road in Beragh, Co Tyrone.
A mother of 11 who died with her daughter Avril and granddaughter Maura. Her husband Mick is said to be "devastated" at the loss of his wife, daughter and granddaughter in the moment of madness which claimed so many lives and wrecked hundreds of others.
Sean McLaughlin.
Aged 12. From Knockalla Drive, Buncrana, Co Donegal.
A bright and happy child who was with a party of Spanish and Irish schoolchildren on a day-trip to Omagh. His uncle Michael, who identified the altar boy's body, said: "I just hope that no-one ever has to go through the pain of identifying their loved one after such a devastating bomb." He was one of three boys from the same town to die.
James Barker
Aged 12. From Military Road, Port Haw, Buncrana, Co Donegal.
His mum and dad had moved to Donegal to give their children a better life just over a year ago. His father is a practising solicitor. His mother Donna Marie said he was so excited to be going to Omagh, he forgot to say goodbye as he jumped out of her car and ran to the bus. "But he did look back at me and smiled the way he normally does."
Oran Doherty.
Aged 8. From Knocknalla Drive, Buncrana, Co Donegal.
Described by his teacher Sister Emmanuel as a "blonde-haired bundle of joy." His sister Liza said he too had spoken of his excitement over the day trip out.
Fernando Blasco Baselga
Aged 12. From Arturo Sorita, Madrid, Spain.
Has been staying with a Buncrana family as part of an exchange scheme aimed at improving his English. His family arrived in Northern Ireland yesterday. His Donegal friends described him as "very friendly."
Rocio Abad Ramos.
Aged 23. From Victor de La Serra, Madrid, Spain
One of the organisers of the day out. It was her fifth year in Ireland and had progressed to team leader. She was due to leave next week to be at her sister's wedding in Spain. She was as popular in Buncrana as the next local.
Esther Nora Gibson.
Aged 36. From Radergan Road, Beragh, Co Tyrone.
A Sunday School teacher, Ms Gibson was engaged and was due to marry next July. She was a niece of DUP Assembly member Oliver Gibson. She worked in a local Desmonds shirt factory where she was extremely popular with now devastated work colleagues.
Aidan Gallagher.
Aged 21. From Circular Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
He helped run a busy garage but had left on Saturday afternoon to buy a new pair of jeans and boots after planning a night out on the town. He was an only son. His uncle Hugh, a former member of the UDR, was shot dead by the IRA in 1984.
Brenda Mary Logue.
Aged 17. From Loughmacrory Park, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
She had joined her mother Mary and her grandmother on a shopping trip to the market town. But she left the shop they were in to watch people running from the court house where police said a bomb had been planted. She died seconds later. Her mother and granny, who had stayed inside, escaped with minor cuts and bruises. Brenda was due to begin college next month.
Gareth Conway.
Aged 18. From Aghoghan Park, Carrickmore, Co Tyrone.
He had just left the local technical college and was due to start an engineering course at Magee College next month. His exam results are due to arrive at his home today. He is from a well-known family, with his father an all-Ireland handball player. Gareth had gone to Omagh to get new contact lenses when he was caught up in the blast.
Alan Radford
Aged 16. From Castleview Park in Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Alan was one of the last people to be identified. He had gone into the town to help his mother with the weekly shopping when the bomb exploded.
Samantha McFarland
Aged 17. From Clements Villas, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
A smiling happy teenager who worked as a volunteer at the town's Oxfam shop.
She was a close friend of another girl to die, Lorraine Wilson.
Lorraine Wilson
Aged 15. From Camowen Bungalows, Omagh, Co Tyrone
Never missed a shift at the charity shop, she and Samantha were said to be inseparable. She too died instantly in the explosion.
Fred White
Aged 60. From Knockgreenan Ave, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
A well-known unionist, he was an office holder in the Ulster Unionist Association. He died alongside his son.
Brian White.
Aged 26. From Knockgreenan Ave, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Had accompanied his father into the town to help buy groceries after returning from holiday.
Elizabeth Rush.
Aged 57. From Michael Street, Omagh, Co Tyrone
Known as Libby to her friends, she ran a craft and coffee shop which caught the full brunt of the explosion. She was described as "an extremely popular" local trader by her friends.
Brian McCrory.
Aged 54 years. From Ballinamullan Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Only formally identified just before teatime last night.
Julie Victoria Hughes.
Aged 21. Beltany Road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
A "brilliant" student at Dundee University in Scotland, where there are so many Northern Irish students it has been dubbed "Little Ulster". She had a holiday job in the town's Image Xpress. She ran into the full force of the blast after being evacuated from the shop.
Philomena Skelton.
Aged 49. From McCrea Park in Drumquin, Co Tyrone.
The mother-of-four only went to Omagh to shop twice a year, once before Christmas and once during the summer holidays to get school uniforms for her children. She died as her daughters tried on uniforms in a shop wrecked by the blast. Her husband Kevin, a top GAA official, was in another shop just three feet away. Crying, he said: "I escaped with cuts."
Geraldine Agnes Breslin.
Aged 43. From Drumannon Close, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
One of the Watterson's shop workers evacuated into the path of the blast. She was a Catholic. Her best friend and work colleague, Protestant Anne McCombe, 49, died alongside her. Geraldine had a 14-year-old son called Gareth.
Anne McCombe
Aged 49. From Summerhill Park in Omagh, Co Tyrone
She was described as a "very happy mother" who lived and worked for her family. Friends say she had voted in favour of the peace process in the May referendum.
Veda Elizabeth Short
Aged 56. From Gortaclare, Omagh, Co Tyrone She was another member of the Watterson staff to die in the blast, fleeing from the lingerie department after the bogus court house warning. She had three daughters, a son and a grandchild.
Jolene Brid Marlow
Aged 17. From Eskra, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
She and her 15-year-old sister Nicola had taken their great aunt Bernie Shaw, 75, on a shopping trip to Omagh, ten miles from their home. Her two relatives were badly injured in the blast. Her father Joe caused heartache in the town on Saturday night and Sunday morning as he searched frantically for his eldest daughter. She was identified on Sunday afternoon in the hospital mortuary.
Olive Hawkes
Aged 60. From Fecarry road, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
The grandmother was one of the last to be identified. Her family say they will never get used to losing what they described as "a kind and loving person"
Deborah Anne Cartwright
Aged 20. From Birchwood, Omagh, Co Tyrone.
Her family were too upset to talk about her. But she was one of five people murdered in the blast who had connections to Omagh High School. Like four of the other girls she was a past pupil.
Courtesy of Irish Examiner
Further Information
Publisher: THE EXAMINER
Ref: TEX/046
Published Date: 18-Aug-98
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