ANGER AT REMOVAL OF BOMB TRIBUTE
ANGER AT REMOVAL OF BOMB TRIBUTE
Omagh families 'hurt' by failure to reinstate memorial stone
BY ALAN RODGERS
ONE of those bereaved in the Omagh Bomb atrocity has spoken of her hurt at the failure to reinstate the original plaque at the new Memorial Garden in the town.
Carol Radford, whose brother, Alan, was among 31 people killed, is calling for the marble stone to be once again placed at a prominent place close to the site of the attack. She was speaking amid renewed efforts by several of the families on the issue.
But Omagh District Council maintains that the stone was not being placed in the new garden or at the site of the bomb as it was not in keeping with the design.
"That memorial meant the world to us and without it the garden just seems so cold and sterile. The words contained on it were chosen by us and were clearly readable," said Carol Radford.
"It's removal is like someone taking a headstone from a grave. This was something sacred and was taken without the consent or consultation with the families.
"Both myself and many of the others bereaved were shocked by the decision to take away this memorial in the first place. Now we want to see it returned to a prominent place in the town," she added.
It is understood that the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, of which Carol Radford is the current secretary, has previously written to Omagh District Council regarding the memorial.
She added that on that occasion they were told that the 'memorial was in storage'.
"All of this was very upsetting and still rankles with us. My brother's body was completely broken up by the bomb and why should we as a family feel ashamed that he was murdered," she added.
"The new garden is in place now, but it lacks the colour and warmth of the old one. It is a cold and sterile environment and the fact that the memorial is not there has caused a lot of pain."
Concerns at the failure to replace the memorial have been strongly rejected by the council, who said the commemorative stone was put in place as a temporary marker until the permanent memorial garden was constructed.
"Among the recommendations of the Independent Facilitation team included the wording, inscribed on the temporary
memorial stone, should be part of the narrative and be 'reproduced on a granite coping stone in the garden, in keeping with the overall design," said a spokesperson.
"The council appointed the Independent Facilitation team led by the Rev Dr John Dunlop, to meet with those affected to discuss their views and to prepare a report.
Omagh council says the commemorative stone remains in 'safe storage.'
Omagh families 'hurt' by failure to reinstate memorial stone
BY ALAN RODGERS
ONE of those bereaved in the Omagh Bomb atrocity has spoken of her hurt at the failure to reinstate the original plaque at the new Memorial Garden in the town.
Carol Radford, whose brother, Alan, was among 31 people killed, is calling for the marble stone to be once again placed at a prominent place close to the site of the attack. She was speaking amid renewed efforts by several of the families on the issue.
But Omagh District Council maintains that the stone was not being placed in the new garden or at the site of the bomb as it was not in keeping with the design.
"That memorial meant the world to us and without it the garden just seems so cold and sterile. The words contained on it were chosen by us and were clearly readable," said Carol Radford.
"It's removal is like someone taking a headstone from a grave. This was something sacred and was taken without the consent or consultation with the families.
"Both myself and many of the others bereaved were shocked by the decision to take away this memorial in the first place. Now we want to see it returned to a prominent place in the town," she added.
It is understood that the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, of which Carol Radford is the current secretary, has previously written to Omagh District Council regarding the memorial.
She added that on that occasion they were told that the 'memorial was in storage'.
"All of this was very upsetting and still rankles with us. My brother's body was completely broken up by the bomb and why should we as a family feel ashamed that he was murdered," she added.
"The new garden is in place now, but it lacks the colour and warmth of the old one. It is a cold and sterile environment and the fact that the memorial is not there has caused a lot of pain."
Concerns at the failure to replace the memorial have been strongly rejected by the council, who said the commemorative stone was put in place as a temporary marker until the permanent memorial garden was constructed.
"Among the recommendations of the Independent Facilitation team included the wording, inscribed on the temporary
memorial stone, should be part of the narrative and be 'reproduced on a granite coping stone in the garden, in keeping with the overall design," said a spokesperson.
"The council appointed the Independent Facilitation team led by the Rev Dr John Dunlop, to meet with those affected to discuss their views and to prepare a report.
Omagh council says the commemorative stone remains in 'safe storage.'
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/101
Published Date: 16-Nov-09
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