UNITED IN GRIEF
UNITED IN GRIEF
TENS of thousands who packed the centre of Omagh for Saturday afternoon's Act of Prayerful Reflection stood in mournful silence at ten minutes past three, as they remembered the 28 who lost their lives in the bomb attack at Market Street, exactly a week earlier.
Local curate, Fr Kevin Mullan described how the "horror, pain and grief of the past seven days and nights had touched the hearts of everyone throughout the country and beyond.
The service, which was screened worldwide, coincided with hundreds of similar ceremonies organised in the wake of the Omagh atrocity.
Crowds began to assemble on the Courthouse hill shortly after mid-day.
Within an hour, a sea of faces filled the areas around High Street and Market Street, spilling out into Bridge Street , Scarffe's Entry and Henderson's Mews.
Barriers screened from view the lower end of Market Street, where the horrors of a week beforehand unfolded.
St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band, under the direction of Mike Reynolds, played a selection of hymns, reflecting the sombre mood of those present.
And in a stark reminder of any possible further threat of violence, marksmen took up positions on rooftops in and around the Courthouse area and surrounding buildings.
The front section of the 19th century Courthouse building itself was draped in a satin-red backdrop for the emotional occasion.
Shortly after two o'clock, local elected representatives and members of local government bodies led relatives of those who died in the atrocity onto the Courthouse steps.
Among the dignitaries present for the service was Irish President, Mary McAleese and Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott represented the British Government, while the North's First Minister elect David Trimble and his deputy, Seamus Mallon also participated in the ceremony.
The new American Consul General, Jane Ford, RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan and the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn were also in attendance.
Leaders of all four main churches joined local political party-leaders and representatives from the emergency services as they stood in silent tribute to those who lost their lives.
Following the ringing of church bells, Fr Kevin Mullan spoke of how the outrage had brought devastation to the entire population of the area.
"At this hour last Saturday, twenty eight good and deeply loved people, one carrying twins awaiting birth, were alive in these streets.
"Those two hundred and more whose loveliness was maimed or injured, those who now cling to life in hospital wards, were with them here as they with countless others shopped and served, talked and strolled and drove.
"Each of them, each of us, at this hour last Saturday had a future for some time on this earth. But the future had already been brought among us.
"Evil had already possessed some human hearts and minds to do evil unto other human beings.
"At ten minutes past three the future came. Death and life were blasted together. Death carried life and peace away.
"It searched for many more of us with its savage scorching breath. Its bloody greed was fought in the streets and the hospital by those who love and treasure life and dearly loved the lives for whom they fought."
Rev Brendan McCarthy, from Omagh Community Church spoke of the community's hopes for the future, while Church of Ireland Minister, Rev Ruth Adams offered a prayer for the bereaved.
Those injured in the bombing were also remembered in a short prayer delivered by Consultant Surgeon at Tyrone County Hospital, Dominic Pinto.
Peter Devenney, a former Irish teacher at the Loreto Convent Grammar School and David Bolton who led the Social Services response to the tragedy, both thanked the local community for the "strength and love" shown in the wake of the tragedy.
A moving solo, 'Broken Things,' performed by Dromore-born singer, Juliet Turner garnered praise from a worldwide audience and touched the hearts of many of those present.
Methodist Minister, Rev Peter Good and Roisin Kelly, one of those who helped at the scene of the explosion, also spoke during the short ceremony.
Two of those killed a week earlier had worked in the town's Oxfam charity shop, and on Saturday, volunteer manager Mabel Kennedy thanked hospital staff and those involved in the medical services for their generous and selfless response.
"They shared our pain and trauma, yet still gave their all, and more, as they helped all those injured and those dying.
"May their generosity of service be richly rewarded both now in this present life, and in the life everlasting" she added.
Victims' families comforted each other as the names of the 28 who died were read by the Council's Chief Executive, John McKinney
Mr McKinney - whose job it was to co-ordinate the identifying process - asked that "the unborn twin girls" who were due to be born to Michael and the late Avril Monaghan in a few weeks time, also be recalled. "Two more innocent victims of the atrocity."
There followed a minute's silence, as those killed in the bombing exactly a week ago were remembered.
Fr Francis Barber, Catholic Chaplain to the Army thanked those from Social Services and community workers who help in the aftermath of the tragedy.
His sentiments were reiterated in Spanish by Aurora Cacharro, in memory of the two young people on an exchange visit from Spain who were among the victims.
Presbyterian Minister, Rev Robert Herron prayed for the wider community before eight baskets of flowers, which had adorned the front of the Courthouse railings, were distributed to hospitals in the area.
A final prayer of hope was delivered by CBS pupils, Jody Sharkey, whose uncle Brian McCrory died in the blast, and Louise Scott, a pupil of Omagh Academy who was injured in the explosion.
Both were embraced by Rev Robert Herron who imparted the final blessing, adding "Let us leave our town centre today in friendship and with the sign of peace."
TENS of thousands who packed the centre of Omagh for Saturday afternoon's Act of Prayerful Reflection stood in mournful silence at ten minutes past three, as they remembered the 28 who lost their lives in the bomb attack at Market Street, exactly a week earlier.
Local curate, Fr Kevin Mullan described how the "horror, pain and grief of the past seven days and nights had touched the hearts of everyone throughout the country and beyond.
The service, which was screened worldwide, coincided with hundreds of similar ceremonies organised in the wake of the Omagh atrocity.
Crowds began to assemble on the Courthouse hill shortly after mid-day.
Within an hour, a sea of faces filled the areas around High Street and Market Street, spilling out into Bridge Street , Scarffe's Entry and Henderson's Mews.
Barriers screened from view the lower end of Market Street, where the horrors of a week beforehand unfolded.
St Eugene's Brass and Reed Band, under the direction of Mike Reynolds, played a selection of hymns, reflecting the sombre mood of those present.
And in a stark reminder of any possible further threat of violence, marksmen took up positions on rooftops in and around the Courthouse area and surrounding buildings.
The front section of the 19th century Courthouse building itself was draped in a satin-red backdrop for the emotional occasion.
Shortly after two o'clock, local elected representatives and members of local government bodies led relatives of those who died in the atrocity onto the Courthouse steps.
Among the dignitaries present for the service was Irish President, Mary McAleese and Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott represented the British Government, while the North's First Minister elect David Trimble and his deputy, Seamus Mallon also participated in the ceremony.
The new American Consul General, Jane Ford, RUC Chief Constable Ronnie Flanagan and the Duke and Duchess of Abercorn were also in attendance.
Leaders of all four main churches joined local political party-leaders and representatives from the emergency services as they stood in silent tribute to those who lost their lives.
Following the ringing of church bells, Fr Kevin Mullan spoke of how the outrage had brought devastation to the entire population of the area.
"At this hour last Saturday, twenty eight good and deeply loved people, one carrying twins awaiting birth, were alive in these streets.
"Those two hundred and more whose loveliness was maimed or injured, those who now cling to life in hospital wards, were with them here as they with countless others shopped and served, talked and strolled and drove.
"Each of them, each of us, at this hour last Saturday had a future for some time on this earth. But the future had already been brought among us.
"Evil had already possessed some human hearts and minds to do evil unto other human beings.
"At ten minutes past three the future came. Death and life were blasted together. Death carried life and peace away.
"It searched for many more of us with its savage scorching breath. Its bloody greed was fought in the streets and the hospital by those who love and treasure life and dearly loved the lives for whom they fought."
Rev Brendan McCarthy, from Omagh Community Church spoke of the community's hopes for the future, while Church of Ireland Minister, Rev Ruth Adams offered a prayer for the bereaved.
Those injured in the bombing were also remembered in a short prayer delivered by Consultant Surgeon at Tyrone County Hospital, Dominic Pinto.
Peter Devenney, a former Irish teacher at the Loreto Convent Grammar School and David Bolton who led the Social Services response to the tragedy, both thanked the local community for the "strength and love" shown in the wake of the tragedy.
A moving solo, 'Broken Things,' performed by Dromore-born singer, Juliet Turner garnered praise from a worldwide audience and touched the hearts of many of those present.
Methodist Minister, Rev Peter Good and Roisin Kelly, one of those who helped at the scene of the explosion, also spoke during the short ceremony.
Two of those killed a week earlier had worked in the town's Oxfam charity shop, and on Saturday, volunteer manager Mabel Kennedy thanked hospital staff and those involved in the medical services for their generous and selfless response.
"They shared our pain and trauma, yet still gave their all, and more, as they helped all those injured and those dying.
"May their generosity of service be richly rewarded both now in this present life, and in the life everlasting" she added.
Victims' families comforted each other as the names of the 28 who died were read by the Council's Chief Executive, John McKinney
Mr McKinney - whose job it was to co-ordinate the identifying process - asked that "the unborn twin girls" who were due to be born to Michael and the late Avril Monaghan in a few weeks time, also be recalled. "Two more innocent victims of the atrocity."
There followed a minute's silence, as those killed in the bombing exactly a week ago were remembered.
Fr Francis Barber, Catholic Chaplain to the Army thanked those from Social Services and community workers who help in the aftermath of the tragedy.
His sentiments were reiterated in Spanish by Aurora Cacharro, in memory of the two young people on an exchange visit from Spain who were among the victims.
Presbyterian Minister, Rev Robert Herron prayed for the wider community before eight baskets of flowers, which had adorned the front of the Courthouse railings, were distributed to hospitals in the area.
A final prayer of hope was delivered by CBS pupils, Jody Sharkey, whose uncle Brian McCrory died in the blast, and Louise Scott, a pupil of Omagh Academy who was injured in the explosion.
Both were embraced by Rev Robert Herron who imparted the final blessing, adding "Let us leave our town centre today in friendship and with the sign of peace."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0136
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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