XMAS JOY COMES AT LAST FOR OMAGH
DANIEL SWITCHES ON TOWN LIGHTS
By ROSA PRINCE
Xmas joy comes at last for Omagh
IN a bittersweet ceremony last night, Christmas came to the town they couldn't kill.
Omagh began its move out of the darkness and into the light when heart-throb crooner Daniel O'Donnell switched on the Christmas lights.
The town is trying to come to terms with the devastating bomb that shattered the lives of hundreds on August 15. Twenty-nine people died and nearly 350 injured in the blast.
The memory of that sunny shopping day which turned to utter carnage was put to the back of everyone's mind last night.
Excited children held balloons as they sat aloft on their parents' shoulders. And they sang - Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Merry Christmas Everyone.
The glittering night marks the start of a month-long celebration in the run-up to Christmas named Out of the Darkness and Into the Light.
Chamber of Commerce Development Director Nicholas O'Shiel explained the message of the campaign.
He said: "We're not trying to forget anything but we want to bring a bit of light back to Omagh.
Future
"A lot of the activities are based around the Churches and we are aiming them at the children and young people. A terrible thing did happen here, but we want to look to the future.
"What happened here was frankly overwhelming. To some extent things will never be normal again. But trying to get some semblance of normality will help the healing process."
Daniel O'Donnell was moved to tears by the spirit of the night.
He said: "To tell you the truth I don't think there is anything anyone can say to the people of Omagh that will make things better.
"There is nothing I can say that will bring back the people who were bombed or take away the injuries."
He told the crowd: "Tonight is a very difficult night for you, but of all places in the world this year Omagh deserves some joy.
"This is the time to go forward, never look back to all the bad things that have happened. Don't give the men of violence that much room."
There was warm clapping and then the lights were switched on. And over the courthouse two peace doves shone above the town.
By ROSA PRINCE
Xmas joy comes at last for Omagh
IN a bittersweet ceremony last night, Christmas came to the town they couldn't kill.
Omagh began its move out of the darkness and into the light when heart-throb crooner Daniel O'Donnell switched on the Christmas lights.
The town is trying to come to terms with the devastating bomb that shattered the lives of hundreds on August 15. Twenty-nine people died and nearly 350 injured in the blast.
The memory of that sunny shopping day which turned to utter carnage was put to the back of everyone's mind last night.
Excited children held balloons as they sat aloft on their parents' shoulders. And they sang - Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Merry Christmas Everyone.
The glittering night marks the start of a month-long celebration in the run-up to Christmas named Out of the Darkness and Into the Light.
Chamber of Commerce Development Director Nicholas O'Shiel explained the message of the campaign.
He said: "We're not trying to forget anything but we want to bring a bit of light back to Omagh.
Future
"A lot of the activities are based around the Churches and we are aiming them at the children and young people. A terrible thing did happen here, but we want to look to the future.
"What happened here was frankly overwhelming. To some extent things will never be normal again. But trying to get some semblance of normality will help the healing process."
Daniel O'Donnell was moved to tears by the spirit of the night.
He said: "To tell you the truth I don't think there is anything anyone can say to the people of Omagh that will make things better.
"There is nothing I can say that will bring back the people who were bombed or take away the injuries."
He told the crowd: "Tonight is a very difficult night for you, but of all places in the world this year Omagh deserves some joy.
"This is the time to go forward, never look back to all the bad things that have happened. Don't give the men of violence that much room."
There was warm clapping and then the lights were switched on. And over the courthouse two peace doves shone above the town.
Further Information
Publisher: THE MIRROR
Ref: TM/075
Published Date: 27-Nov-98
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