LETTER TO THE PAPER
Letter to the paper
DEAR SIR,
Saturday the 15th of August 1998 will be a day etched in the hearts and minds of the entire community for decades to follow, but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.
Omagh, Beragh, Drumquin, Buncrana and Spain amongst others, and mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, boyfriends and girlfriends, all relationships were strained, no one was left untouched. Yet amidst all the confusion, despair and agony the strength of spirit within the Omagh community left a clear message for everyone around the world.
Omagh is a town with a powerful cross-community spirit, a town which has always been admired for its togetherness, serving as a flagship for the entire Northern Ireland population in their search for peace. As the word spread of the atrocity the reaction was one of disbelief. "No way, not in Omagh" was the common opinion.
What was to be the culmination of a week graced with such happiness transpired into a cauldron of destruction, both emotionally and physically. The first Omagh festival in over a decade became irrelevant. However the spirit had striven to achieve was immediately reflected in the sudden aftermath of the explosion amongst the rubble and between the wailing cries for help. A spirit which was evident throughout the week was again present in a very different manner.
Omawest Community Development Association's Chairman, Gerry McCusker, said: "To witness such enthusiasm by the entire community throughout the Park Festivals coupled with the scenes of silence at the incident centre on the night of the tragedy was hard to fathom." The Chairman further added: "When such happiness is suddenly followed and overshadowed by so much grief it leaves a community so confused and angered." Omawest would like to express their heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the Omagh bombing and also to the dozens of individuals who helped to bring joy to the community throughout the Park Festivals before this terrible atrocity occurred.
A book of condolence has been opened at the Outreach Centre at 1A Strule Park. If you would like to sign the book please don't hesitate to call in or contact Oliver Kelly at 251955.
DEAR SIR,
Saturday the 15th of August 1998 will be a day etched in the hearts and minds of the entire community for decades to follow, but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.
Omagh, Beragh, Drumquin, Buncrana and Spain amongst others, and mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles, boyfriends and girlfriends, all relationships were strained, no one was left untouched. Yet amidst all the confusion, despair and agony the strength of spirit within the Omagh community left a clear message for everyone around the world.
Omagh is a town with a powerful cross-community spirit, a town which has always been admired for its togetherness, serving as a flagship for the entire Northern Ireland population in their search for peace. As the word spread of the atrocity the reaction was one of disbelief. "No way, not in Omagh" was the common opinion.
What was to be the culmination of a week graced with such happiness transpired into a cauldron of destruction, both emotionally and physically. The first Omagh festival in over a decade became irrelevant. However the spirit had striven to achieve was immediately reflected in the sudden aftermath of the explosion amongst the rubble and between the wailing cries for help. A spirit which was evident throughout the week was again present in a very different manner.
Omawest Community Development Association's Chairman, Gerry McCusker, said: "To witness such enthusiasm by the entire community throughout the Park Festivals coupled with the scenes of silence at the incident centre on the night of the tragedy was hard to fathom." The Chairman further added: "When such happiness is suddenly followed and overshadowed by so much grief it leaves a community so confused and angered." Omawest would like to express their heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the Omagh bombing and also to the dozens of individuals who helped to bring joy to the community throughout the Park Festivals before this terrible atrocity occurred.
A book of condolence has been opened at the Outreach Centre at 1A Strule Park. If you would like to sign the book please don't hesitate to call in or contact Oliver Kelly at 251955.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0336
Published Date: 03-Sep-98
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