TRIBUTES PAID TO MUNICH ATHLETES AS OMAGH REMEMBERS ITS SLAIN
Tributes paid to Munich athletes as Omagh remembers its slain
BY CONOR SHARKEY
ATHLETES murdered during the Munich Olympics 40 years ago were among those remembered at the 14th Omagh bomb anniversary service yesterday (Sunday).
Over 200 people gathered at the garden of remembrance to pray for the 29 people and the unborn twins who were tilled by a Real IRA bomb on August 15 1998.
Leading the service was spokesperson for the Omagh Support and Self Help Group Michael Gallagher. He welcomed representatives from Irish governments North and South including Justice Minister David Ford, clergy of all denominations and for the first time, Ronald Appleton QC, president of the Jewish community in Belfast.
In his address, Mr Appleton said he was grateful for the invite to Omagh in this, the 40th anniversary year of the massacre of Israeli athletes during the Munich Olympics.
Fr Kevin Mullan also gave a moving nod to the London 2012 Olympics when asking those gathered to pray for the slain of Omagh.
"Can we pray for all those who were not allowed to reach the natural finishing tape of life," he said.
Prayers were also said for the families of those killed during the Claudy bombing 40 years ago this year and on Bloody Friday and Bloody Sunday.
At precisely 3.23pm, the names of the 29 people tragically killed in Omagh were read aloud by a representative of the Pax Christi Group.
Musical interludes were provided by Donegal Gospel singer Leslie Matthews and members of St Eugene's Band, Omagh. To end another emotional anniversary service, wreaths were laid by, among others, chair of Omagh Council Errol Thompson.
BY CONOR SHARKEY
ATHLETES murdered during the Munich Olympics 40 years ago were among those remembered at the 14th Omagh bomb anniversary service yesterday (Sunday).
Over 200 people gathered at the garden of remembrance to pray for the 29 people and the unborn twins who were tilled by a Real IRA bomb on August 15 1998.
Leading the service was spokesperson for the Omagh Support and Self Help Group Michael Gallagher. He welcomed representatives from Irish governments North and South including Justice Minister David Ford, clergy of all denominations and for the first time, Ronald Appleton QC, president of the Jewish community in Belfast.
In his address, Mr Appleton said he was grateful for the invite to Omagh in this, the 40th anniversary year of the massacre of Israeli athletes during the Munich Olympics.
Fr Kevin Mullan also gave a moving nod to the London 2012 Olympics when asking those gathered to pray for the slain of Omagh.
"Can we pray for all those who were not allowed to reach the natural finishing tape of life," he said.
Prayers were also said for the families of those killed during the Claudy bombing 40 years ago this year and on Bloody Friday and Bloody Sunday.
At precisely 3.23pm, the names of the 29 people tragically killed in Omagh were read aloud by a representative of the Pax Christi Group.
Musical interludes were provided by Donegal Gospel singer Leslie Matthews and members of St Eugene's Band, Omagh. To end another emotional anniversary service, wreaths were laid by, among others, chair of Omagh Council Errol Thompson.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/ 121
Published Date: 13-Aug-12
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