BEREAVED FAMILIES ATTEND UPLIFTING MEMORIAL
Bereaved families attend 'uplifting' memorial
BY MARK McKELVEY
IN stark contrast to Friday's heavy rainfall, the clouds parted and the sun shone down on the hundreds that gathered yesterday to remember the victims of the Omagh bombing at the second commemorative event to take place in the town.
It was a peaceful, simple service that incorporated all aspects of the community, symbolic of the wide demographic spectrum of innocents that lost their lives and were injured in the atrocity of ten years ago. The underlying message of the day was, To remember and to honour those who died and those who are still suffering.'
The moving tenth anniversary ceremony was organised by family members associated with the Omagh Support and Self Help
Group. The families felt it important that, in addition to the service organised by Omagh District Council on Friday, they arrange their own service as they have done in the previous four years.
This year's service was designed to provide comfort to the bereaved, injured and traumatised whilst still being uplifting in nature. It was an inter-denominational service of music, verse and prayer. With readings in English, Irish, Spanish and even a prayer in Hebrew, the diverse nature of the thousands affected by the Omagh bomb was reflected in Sunday's service.
"It was a great gathering of people. Not only was there local support but also people from all over the country and I just hope those people got as much out of it as I did," said Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast.
He added, "I always find comfort in coming together and speaking to other people that have suffered as a result of The Troubles and many of those didn't get justice, like we haven't.
"We have a wonderful message that we are strong and positive of how we feel and we can move forward."
Representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish Governments attending the service included Ronnie Armour, the Deputy Director of Policing, Orla Tunney and Ruairi de Burca, representatives from the Irish Foreign Affairs, Veronica Cawley from the Irish Labour Party and Consul General of Spain, Dr Felix Valdes.
The religious ceremony was presided over by Fr Chris Broodle, a British Army padre based in Ballykinler, Co. Down and Omagh-born priest, Fr Donal Gillespie who now ministers at Bridgend in Wales.
Speaking after the service, Fr Gillespie, who returns annually for the anniversary, commented that he felt honoured to be involved in the ceremony.
He said, "I was here on the day the bomb took place and was with the people in the leisure centre that night, having previously been at the hospital speaking to the wounded. It was difficult seeing so many people that I knew.
"My memories of that day are still very strong and I am honoured to be part of the ceremony to mark the tenth anniversary."
BY MARK McKELVEY
IN stark contrast to Friday's heavy rainfall, the clouds parted and the sun shone down on the hundreds that gathered yesterday to remember the victims of the Omagh bombing at the second commemorative event to take place in the town.
It was a peaceful, simple service that incorporated all aspects of the community, symbolic of the wide demographic spectrum of innocents that lost their lives and were injured in the atrocity of ten years ago. The underlying message of the day was, To remember and to honour those who died and those who are still suffering.'
The moving tenth anniversary ceremony was organised by family members associated with the Omagh Support and Self Help
Group. The families felt it important that, in addition to the service organised by Omagh District Council on Friday, they arrange their own service as they have done in the previous four years.
This year's service was designed to provide comfort to the bereaved, injured and traumatised whilst still being uplifting in nature. It was an inter-denominational service of music, verse and prayer. With readings in English, Irish, Spanish and even a prayer in Hebrew, the diverse nature of the thousands affected by the Omagh bomb was reflected in Sunday's service.
"It was a great gathering of people. Not only was there local support but also people from all over the country and I just hope those people got as much out of it as I did," said Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the blast.
He added, "I always find comfort in coming together and speaking to other people that have suffered as a result of The Troubles and many of those didn't get justice, like we haven't.
"We have a wonderful message that we are strong and positive of how we feel and we can move forward."
Representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish Governments attending the service included Ronnie Armour, the Deputy Director of Policing, Orla Tunney and Ruairi de Burca, representatives from the Irish Foreign Affairs, Veronica Cawley from the Irish Labour Party and Consul General of Spain, Dr Felix Valdes.
The religious ceremony was presided over by Fr Chris Broodle, a British Army padre based in Ballykinler, Co. Down and Omagh-born priest, Fr Donal Gillespie who now ministers at Bridgend in Wales.
Speaking after the service, Fr Gillespie, who returns annually for the anniversary, commented that he felt honoured to be involved in the ceremony.
He said, "I was here on the day the bomb took place and was with the people in the leisure centre that night, having previously been at the hospital speaking to the wounded. It was difficult seeing so many people that I knew.
"My memories of that day are still very strong and I am honoured to be part of the ceremony to mark the tenth anniversary."
Further Information
Publisher: TYRONE HERALD
Ref: TYH10An/06
Published Date: 18-Aug-08
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