WILL SORRY BRING BACK 18 MONTH OLD BABY
Will sorry bring back 18-month-old baby
"WILL SORRY bring back the pregnant mother and the 18 month old baby to her family who are totally devastated" -asks a local woman yesterday morning on the streets of Omagh.
Mary McSorley, from Omagh, was reacting to the apology from the Real IRA that it had not intended "at any time to kill civilians", and its subsequent announcement of a suspension of its terror campaign.
Avril Monaghan, her unborn twins, and 18 month old Maura were murdered -with 26 other innocents -when the Real IRA exploded a 5001b car bomb in the midst of busy shoppers. Left behind to try and pick up the pieces are husband Michael and children Aoibheann, Eilisha and Patrick.
"They are apologising and saying they are wrong for something they knew was going to happen. I am sorry but I just have no sympathy and I don't accept what they have said. We have been asked to pray for the perpetrators of this atrocity but it is hard," adds Mary Campling.
"They directed that bomb at women and children. They had no right to do that. Look at the devastation they have caused, they see that in front of them," the local woman adds, clearly upset at the atrocity.
"They should hang their heads in shame. I think this is all a little too late. It is an ongoing situation and when is it going to stop. Do they have the God given right to decide when they will halt anything
"What they have done is inexcusable. Why did they come here, Omagh always had good cross community relations and both communities lived well together.
Adds Mary McSorley "I think they should hand in their arms now and hang their heads in shame."
Just yards away the message is the same from local man, Gerry McSorley.
"It is a complete sham. They are just trying to cover up for the dastardly deed that took place".
"If was supposed to be a commercial target then why not plant the bomb after 5pm when they would have devastated buildings. They planted that bomb with fatalities in mind.
"Without a doubt they are trying to find a way out. Their credibility, if they ever had any, has dropped completely. Any right thinking person should have nothing to do with them.
"They are just the scum of the earth."
A young girl, who does not wish to be named, attaches no credibility to the statement.
"It is a bit late for that now. They are not sorry at all. They are only trying to take the pressure off themselves.".
Local politicians have also reacted angrily to the two statements from the Real IRA.
Oliver Gibson, who lost a relative in the bomb, said he treated the apology and announcement with utter contempt.
"It is hurtful and adds to the agony and bereavement of the people of Omagh. They have demonstrated how callous and cynical they really are. I have never had any trust in the sincerity of the IRA on any subject and much less this one.
"This is a cynical ploy, another tactic to remove the heat.
"These people cannot claim that 16 Catholics were legitimate targets and the rest of those murdered , the Protestants, the babies, the young people, were legitimate targets. They are running out of excuses."
West Tyrone assemblyman Derek Hussey said "I have just learned of the hypocritical cessation declaration by those responsible. They are diving for cover in the face of the massive surge of public opinion and political anger.
"There must be no hiding place for anyone connected with those who carried out last Saturday's atrocity."
"WILL SORRY bring back the pregnant mother and the 18 month old baby to her family who are totally devastated" -asks a local woman yesterday morning on the streets of Omagh.
Mary McSorley, from Omagh, was reacting to the apology from the Real IRA that it had not intended "at any time to kill civilians", and its subsequent announcement of a suspension of its terror campaign.
Avril Monaghan, her unborn twins, and 18 month old Maura were murdered -with 26 other innocents -when the Real IRA exploded a 5001b car bomb in the midst of busy shoppers. Left behind to try and pick up the pieces are husband Michael and children Aoibheann, Eilisha and Patrick.
"They are apologising and saying they are wrong for something they knew was going to happen. I am sorry but I just have no sympathy and I don't accept what they have said. We have been asked to pray for the perpetrators of this atrocity but it is hard," adds Mary Campling.
"They directed that bomb at women and children. They had no right to do that. Look at the devastation they have caused, they see that in front of them," the local woman adds, clearly upset at the atrocity.
"They should hang their heads in shame. I think this is all a little too late. It is an ongoing situation and when is it going to stop. Do they have the God given right to decide when they will halt anything
"What they have done is inexcusable. Why did they come here, Omagh always had good cross community relations and both communities lived well together.
Adds Mary McSorley "I think they should hand in their arms now and hang their heads in shame."
Just yards away the message is the same from local man, Gerry McSorley.
"It is a complete sham. They are just trying to cover up for the dastardly deed that took place".
"If was supposed to be a commercial target then why not plant the bomb after 5pm when they would have devastated buildings. They planted that bomb with fatalities in mind.
"Without a doubt they are trying to find a way out. Their credibility, if they ever had any, has dropped completely. Any right thinking person should have nothing to do with them.
"They are just the scum of the earth."
A young girl, who does not wish to be named, attaches no credibility to the statement.
"It is a bit late for that now. They are not sorry at all. They are only trying to take the pressure off themselves.".
Local politicians have also reacted angrily to the two statements from the Real IRA.
Oliver Gibson, who lost a relative in the bomb, said he treated the apology and announcement with utter contempt.
"It is hurtful and adds to the agony and bereavement of the people of Omagh. They have demonstrated how callous and cynical they really are. I have never had any trust in the sincerity of the IRA on any subject and much less this one.
"This is a cynical ploy, another tactic to remove the heat.
"These people cannot claim that 16 Catholics were legitimate targets and the rest of those murdered , the Protestants, the babies, the young people, were legitimate targets. They are running out of excuses."
West Tyrone assemblyman Derek Hussey said "I have just learned of the hypocritical cessation declaration by those responsible. They are diving for cover in the face of the massive surge of public opinion and political anger.
"There must be no hiding place for anyone connected with those who carried out last Saturday's atrocity."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0059
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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