UH/0165

Reflections on a day of mourning

I think today's memorial will bring it all back for a lot of the people in this town. Everybody's world was changed around just one short week ago. I'll never forget what I saw, but a lot of children who were here this time last week will remember the events for an awful long time to come. Although I was injured, my scars will mend, but for those bereaved and those who lost limbs, the mental scars will take a long time to heal.
Jim Sharkey
Businessman
Market Street

At ten past three today, I just looked around and felt such a solidarity with all the people of this town. And I feel it's a message we are all sending out from our hearts that this has to be the end. That message is coming from the souls of the people of Omagh. We have to have peace, we have to move forward, and this message has to go to the hearts and souls of those who are perpetrating these acts.
James Doody
Father
Omagh

I've travelled up today with a number of friends and neighbours just to show our solidarity with the people of this town. I don't believe any of the other atrocities over the years have hit home quite like this one. Although there was a very sombre atmosphere here today, I sensed a feeling of joy that so many had stood shoulder to shoulder in support of those injured and bereaved.
Margaret O'Rourke
Housewife
North Dublin

I'm so pleased to be able to be here today to share with the people of Omagh in the aftermath of this horrific bomb. My condolences and thoughts were with the people of the town. We still have five children in hospital who are present pupils, and Geraldine Breslin who was buried this week, was another past pupil. I would hope that we will be able to live together as a community, and this evidence here today of so many people coming together gives me great hope for Omagh. I hope in the future there will be a coming together which we in the schools have been promoting for so long. Maybe this is our chance to make our mark for the future, for our children and our children's children.
Geraldine McCormick
School Principal
Omagh

This has been one of the most moving memorial ceremonies I have ever witnessed. I admired the way national politicians took a back seat while local clergy and those from Omagh itself were given roles to play.
Vivian Richardson
Aid Worker
Lisburn

I can't help recalling the images of this day last week, which will remain with us forever. I though today's ceremony was very moving experience and hopefully was a way of expressing the grief of the whole community in visible way. But now the difficult time starts for families and for the whole community of Omagh to rebuild their lives again Our little town had been spared the worst of the troubles until now, but all we can do is hope and build for the future. In some way, I think the whole community of Omagh and the surrounding area will be on its own life support machine for years to come
Hugh McAteer
Principal
Heatherbank School

I have attended peace rallies and gatherings in support of retaining services at Tyrone County Hospital throughout the years, but nothing compares to the numbers here today. Just look around. There are possible thousands, if not tens of thousands of people here today who have been directly affected by the bomb: those who have lost loved ones, others who had friends or relatives hurt, not to mention those who helped save lives.
Jane Russell
Parent
Omagh

Publisher: ULSTER HERALD

Ref: UH/0165

Published Date: 27-Aug-98