COUNCILLORS PLEA FOR COMMUNITY TO BE GIVEN TIME TO GRIEVE FOR THEIR DEAD
Councillors plea for community to be given time to grieve for their dead
Book of Condolence opened as Councillors plea for community to be given time to grieve
THE shattered community of Omagh needs time and space to be allowed to grieve for their dead.
That was the message from the district's councillors who united to condemn the atrocity on Monday at an emergency meeting.
An all-party delegation held a press conference immediately after the closed door session where it called for the people of Omagh to be given time to bury its 28 dead with dignity.
Chairman of the Council Sean Clarke said the people of Omagh will need a long time to recover from the enormity of Saturday's atrocity.
The Chairman described the mood of the meeting- where the first book of condolence was opened - as "very sombre".
"Politics was not discussed at this meeting, it had been called to discuss practical ways of helping the people of Omagh."
Mr Clarke said he did not feel that the people had come to terms with the bombing, which killed 28 people and injured hundreds.
"I don't think they have come to terms with what has really happened. Estates in the town and townlands have been affected by this event. It will take a long time for them to take in the enormity of the situation."
DUP Councillor Oliver Gibson said Omagh is a town, that underneath, is seething with anger and deep shock.
"This town has been repeatedly bombed over thirty years this was a quiet provincial town which has now attained a level of notoriety.
"These are traditionally rural people who would like the opportunity to grieve quietly and in their own way but underneath there is a seething anger."
It was pointed out to the all-party delegation that one council member- Francis Mackey- had just minutes previously refused to condemn the bombing.
In reply the SDLP's Joe Byrne pointed out "All of the councillors have collectively condemned the atrocity. The Council is acting in unity. If an individual has a different position then they can explain that outside of here.
"We are here to try and express our solidarity of feeling and outrage at what took place. The families locally now want to be given the space to grieve."
He said any views on the peace process being given a chance to work were for "another day".
Independent Councillor Paddy McGowan said there was a stillness because in the previous 36 hours there had been a hustle and bustle to try and find out the fate of their loved ones.
"Now the full state of this horrendous act has started to settle in. It will take a long time, and will never be forgotten."
Vice-Chairman, Alan Rainey, said there was a great solemnity in the district.
"The anger and outrage is perhaps there under the surface.
He said the promises of the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach that no stone would be left unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice needed to be realised and would go a long way to help the bereaved.
"There must be an all out effort to bring the perpetrators to justice," said the Vice-Chairman.
When asked to whom the anger was being directed at Oliver Gibson told reporters it was anger at the government's broken promises.
He said Prime Minister after Prime Minister had been making the same statement that perpetrators would be brought to justice.
"Yesterday was a day of great promises and pledges but it was no different to what has already been said before.
"There is a man living in Dundalk and he has great expertise and has no compunction about killing. How can we believe these people if he is still walking about freely. Credibility is at stake here.
"My family is grieving like everyone else. We want to have time to bury our people with dignity. In time the British and Southern governments will be made aware of what the people of this town demand."
Joe Byrne pointed out that the whole purpose of the emergency meeting was to reflect on the human tragedy.
Independent Councillor Johnny McLaughlin said the community needs time and space to grieve.
Alliance councillor Anne Gormley said "This is being reflected on the streets and in homes. It is not a time for recriminations. There is a shattered community out there which needs time to heal."
Book of Condolence opened as Councillors plea for community to be given time to grieve
THE shattered community of Omagh needs time and space to be allowed to grieve for their dead.
That was the message from the district's councillors who united to condemn the atrocity on Monday at an emergency meeting.
An all-party delegation held a press conference immediately after the closed door session where it called for the people of Omagh to be given time to bury its 28 dead with dignity.
Chairman of the Council Sean Clarke said the people of Omagh will need a long time to recover from the enormity of Saturday's atrocity.
The Chairman described the mood of the meeting- where the first book of condolence was opened - as "very sombre".
"Politics was not discussed at this meeting, it had been called to discuss practical ways of helping the people of Omagh."
Mr Clarke said he did not feel that the people had come to terms with the bombing, which killed 28 people and injured hundreds.
"I don't think they have come to terms with what has really happened. Estates in the town and townlands have been affected by this event. It will take a long time for them to take in the enormity of the situation."
DUP Councillor Oliver Gibson said Omagh is a town, that underneath, is seething with anger and deep shock.
"This town has been repeatedly bombed over thirty years this was a quiet provincial town which has now attained a level of notoriety.
"These are traditionally rural people who would like the opportunity to grieve quietly and in their own way but underneath there is a seething anger."
It was pointed out to the all-party delegation that one council member- Francis Mackey- had just minutes previously refused to condemn the bombing.
In reply the SDLP's Joe Byrne pointed out "All of the councillors have collectively condemned the atrocity. The Council is acting in unity. If an individual has a different position then they can explain that outside of here.
"We are here to try and express our solidarity of feeling and outrage at what took place. The families locally now want to be given the space to grieve."
He said any views on the peace process being given a chance to work were for "another day".
Independent Councillor Paddy McGowan said there was a stillness because in the previous 36 hours there had been a hustle and bustle to try and find out the fate of their loved ones.
"Now the full state of this horrendous act has started to settle in. It will take a long time, and will never be forgotten."
Vice-Chairman, Alan Rainey, said there was a great solemnity in the district.
"The anger and outrage is perhaps there under the surface.
He said the promises of the Prime Minister and the Taoiseach that no stone would be left unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice needed to be realised and would go a long way to help the bereaved.
"There must be an all out effort to bring the perpetrators to justice," said the Vice-Chairman.
When asked to whom the anger was being directed at Oliver Gibson told reporters it was anger at the government's broken promises.
He said Prime Minister after Prime Minister had been making the same statement that perpetrators would be brought to justice.
"Yesterday was a day of great promises and pledges but it was no different to what has already been said before.
"There is a man living in Dundalk and he has great expertise and has no compunction about killing. How can we believe these people if he is still walking about freely. Credibility is at stake here.
"My family is grieving like everyone else. We want to have time to bury our people with dignity. In time the British and Southern governments will be made aware of what the people of this town demand."
Joe Byrne pointed out that the whole purpose of the emergency meeting was to reflect on the human tragedy.
Independent Councillor Johnny McLaughlin said the community needs time and space to grieve.
Alliance councillor Anne Gormley said "This is being reflected on the streets and in homes. It is not a time for recriminations. There is a shattered community out there which needs time to heal."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0063
Published Date: 20-Aug-98
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