THIRTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF OMAGH BOMB REMEMBERED
Thirteenth anniversary of Omagh bomb remembered
BY RYAN McALEER
THE 13th anniversary of the Omagh bomb was marked by a simple but poignant service in the Drumragh Avenue memorial garden yesterday (Sunday).
Around 200 people gathered in the afternoon sunshine for the service of prayer, reflection and music, led by Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group to remember those who lost their lives in the 1998 atrocity and those still suffering injuries.
A much more low key event than in previous years, the service was however attended by representatives of both the Northern Ireland Office and the Irish Government, along with London solicitor Matthew Jury, who forms part of the Omagh families' legal team as well as representatives from the Catholic peace movement, Pax Christi.
The ceremony also had a distinctly international dimension, featuring poems in Spanish and Polish by Marianne Marechaux and Omagh Support and Self Help Group volunteer, Klaudia Tumidaiewicz.
Music by St Eugene's Brass Band and Leslie Matthews accompanied prayers and readings from Rev Ian Gilpin, Fr Kevin Mullan and Rev Joe Sweeney for the interdenominational service, along with poems by Sandra Patterson of Omagh and Denis Coffey, who has travelled to Omagh from Cork every year for the anniversary.
A poignant reflection by Drumquin Parish priest Fr Kevin Mullan, who served in the Cappagh parish during the 1998 atrocity acquiesced the passing of 13 summers since the August 15 Real IRA car bomb.
In the moving words spoken directly to the 29 victims of the bomb, including two unborn children, the parish priest said, "For 13 summers the flowers have come, bathed by sun and rain and we have placed them with you dearest ones, who should have been safe and free, the delight of our eyes."
As well as remembering victims of recent conflict, disasters and killings around the world, the parish priest acknowledged the murder of Drumduff policeman Ronan Kerr in April, whose killing he said, blasphemed the memory of the 1998 bomb victims.
Michael Gallagher, Stanley Mc-Combe and Cllr Ross Hussey, representing Omagh District Council lead a wreath laying ceremony, before a recital of "The Lord's Prayer' in English and Irish and a blessing by Rev Ian Gilpin brought the service to a close.
BY RYAN McALEER
THE 13th anniversary of the Omagh bomb was marked by a simple but poignant service in the Drumragh Avenue memorial garden yesterday (Sunday).
Around 200 people gathered in the afternoon sunshine for the service of prayer, reflection and music, led by Michael Gallagher of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group to remember those who lost their lives in the 1998 atrocity and those still suffering injuries.
A much more low key event than in previous years, the service was however attended by representatives of both the Northern Ireland Office and the Irish Government, along with London solicitor Matthew Jury, who forms part of the Omagh families' legal team as well as representatives from the Catholic peace movement, Pax Christi.
The ceremony also had a distinctly international dimension, featuring poems in Spanish and Polish by Marianne Marechaux and Omagh Support and Self Help Group volunteer, Klaudia Tumidaiewicz.
Music by St Eugene's Brass Band and Leslie Matthews accompanied prayers and readings from Rev Ian Gilpin, Fr Kevin Mullan and Rev Joe Sweeney for the interdenominational service, along with poems by Sandra Patterson of Omagh and Denis Coffey, who has travelled to Omagh from Cork every year for the anniversary.
A poignant reflection by Drumquin Parish priest Fr Kevin Mullan, who served in the Cappagh parish during the 1998 atrocity acquiesced the passing of 13 summers since the August 15 Real IRA car bomb.
In the moving words spoken directly to the 29 victims of the bomb, including two unborn children, the parish priest said, "For 13 summers the flowers have come, bathed by sun and rain and we have placed them with you dearest ones, who should have been safe and free, the delight of our eyes."
As well as remembering victims of recent conflict, disasters and killings around the world, the parish priest acknowledged the murder of Drumduff policeman Ronan Kerr in April, whose killing he said, blasphemed the memory of the 1998 bomb victims.
Michael Gallagher, Stanley Mc-Combe and Cllr Ross Hussey, representing Omagh District Council lead a wreath laying ceremony, before a recital of "The Lord's Prayer' in English and Irish and a blessing by Rev Ian Gilpin brought the service to a close.
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH/109
Published Date: 15-Aug-11
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