THOUSANDS REMEMBER OMAGH'S DEAD IN MOVING CEREMONY
Thousands remember Omagh's dead in moving ceremony
By: JOHN McCUSKER
OMAGH'S church bells tolled gently on Sunday afternoon as thousands united in silence to mark the first anniversary of last August's bombing in the town.
Over 10,000 packed the town's streets as many of the injured and bereaved were joined by clergy and politicians for a moving and poignant memorial ceremony.
As ten minutes past three approached, the lilt of a piper's lament faded as communities remembered the 29 victims, the unborn twins and the hundreds who were injured in the atrocity.
During a minute's silence, many stood with heads bowed, other in tears, as the memories of a year ago were privately reflected upon.
At the same time, Buncrana was also remembering its three young victims and two visiting Spaniards who were killed in the bombing.
During an emotional service there, local curate Fr Shane Bradley said it was important people expressed their continuing support for the bereaved and hurt, in order to show "we haven't forgotten you and we won't forget you."
In Omagh, the crowd stretched as far as the eye could see. Many stood close to the site of the blast at Market Street where a temporary Garden of Remembrance had been planted and covered in bouquets of flowers.
And as some of those still bearing the scars of last August arrived for the service, many appeared visibly moved at the sheer numbers which had turned out.
Wiping back tears, 15-year-old Una McGurk - one of those most seriously injured - was supported by her family throughout. While Garry and Donna Marie McGillion sat side-by-side, glancing upwards at the Courthouse clock as it approached 3.10 pm.
Also remembering events of a year ago were Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, who, although both suffering immense loss, have since provided solace and comfort for others as members of the victims' Self Help and Support Group.
The town's 18th century Courthouse was elegantly draped in red and burgundy, providing a suitable backdrop for the specially-erected podium from where those participating stood.
Representatives from Omagh, Buncrana and Spain read messages in English, Irish and Spanish before clergy of various denominations offered words of comfort to those touched by the tragedy. Also among those participating were doctors and health workers who rushed to aid victims on the day of the tragedy.
Marion Radford, mother of schoolboy Alan Radford who died in the blast, took part in a moving and symbolic pouring of water representing the tears of those who remembered. She was joined by Rita Restorick, whose son Steven was the last soldier to die in the Troubles, and Margaret McKinney, mother of one of the Disappeared. Kathleen Fleming, sister of local teenager Sylvia Fleming who died tragically just weeks before the bomb attack, also took part in the ritual.
Strabane schoolboy, Stephen Coyle - who suffered severe shoulder and internal injuries - was assisted by his father Francis, as he joined four other students in reading a number of short excerpts.
In a musical interlude to the proceedings, members of Omagh Community Youth Choir, under the direction of conductor Daryl Simpson, assembled on the Courthouse steps for the beautifully haunting air, The Aaronic. While Omagh-born conductor of the Irish Philharmonic Chorus, Blanaid Murphy played a selection of music specially chosen for the occasion.
Soprano singers, Maureen Murphy - who performed on the 'Voices for Peace' CD - and Derry schoolboy, Ciaran Kelly, also sang before the sun-drenched crowd.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary of State, Dr Mo Mowlam, the Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister, Liz O'Donnell, Security Minister, Adam Ingram, former Northern Ireland Secretary, Lord Mayhew, SDLP leader John Hume and Church of Ireland Bishop, Dr James Mehaffey.
Sinn Fein chairman, Pat Doherty was accompanied by the area's Assembly member Barry McElduff and local councillor, Sean Clarke. DUP Assembly member, Oliver Gibson was also present.
In a closing prayer to the ceremony, the Chairman of Omagh Council, Allan Rainey, asked that political and community leaders be granted "wisdom and sensitivity" in their efforts to help people live with one another.
By: JOHN McCUSKER
OMAGH'S church bells tolled gently on Sunday afternoon as thousands united in silence to mark the first anniversary of last August's bombing in the town.
Over 10,000 packed the town's streets as many of the injured and bereaved were joined by clergy and politicians for a moving and poignant memorial ceremony.
As ten minutes past three approached, the lilt of a piper's lament faded as communities remembered the 29 victims, the unborn twins and the hundreds who were injured in the atrocity.
During a minute's silence, many stood with heads bowed, other in tears, as the memories of a year ago were privately reflected upon.
At the same time, Buncrana was also remembering its three young victims and two visiting Spaniards who were killed in the bombing.
During an emotional service there, local curate Fr Shane Bradley said it was important people expressed their continuing support for the bereaved and hurt, in order to show "we haven't forgotten you and we won't forget you."
In Omagh, the crowd stretched as far as the eye could see. Many stood close to the site of the blast at Market Street where a temporary Garden of Remembrance had been planted and covered in bouquets of flowers.
And as some of those still bearing the scars of last August arrived for the service, many appeared visibly moved at the sheer numbers which had turned out.
Wiping back tears, 15-year-old Una McGurk - one of those most seriously injured - was supported by her family throughout. While Garry and Donna Marie McGillion sat side-by-side, glancing upwards at the Courthouse clock as it approached 3.10 pm.
Also remembering events of a year ago were Michael Gallagher and Stanley McCombe, who, although both suffering immense loss, have since provided solace and comfort for others as members of the victims' Self Help and Support Group.
The town's 18th century Courthouse was elegantly draped in red and burgundy, providing a suitable backdrop for the specially-erected podium from where those participating stood.
Representatives from Omagh, Buncrana and Spain read messages in English, Irish and Spanish before clergy of various denominations offered words of comfort to those touched by the tragedy. Also among those participating were doctors and health workers who rushed to aid victims on the day of the tragedy.
Marion Radford, mother of schoolboy Alan Radford who died in the blast, took part in a moving and symbolic pouring of water representing the tears of those who remembered. She was joined by Rita Restorick, whose son Steven was the last soldier to die in the Troubles, and Margaret McKinney, mother of one of the Disappeared. Kathleen Fleming, sister of local teenager Sylvia Fleming who died tragically just weeks before the bomb attack, also took part in the ritual.
Strabane schoolboy, Stephen Coyle - who suffered severe shoulder and internal injuries - was assisted by his father Francis, as he joined four other students in reading a number of short excerpts.
In a musical interlude to the proceedings, members of Omagh Community Youth Choir, under the direction of conductor Daryl Simpson, assembled on the Courthouse steps for the beautifully haunting air, The Aaronic. While Omagh-born conductor of the Irish Philharmonic Chorus, Blanaid Murphy played a selection of music specially chosen for the occasion.
Soprano singers, Maureen Murphy - who performed on the 'Voices for Peace' CD - and Derry schoolboy, Ciaran Kelly, also sang before the sun-drenched crowd.
The ceremony was attended by Secretary of State, Dr Mo Mowlam, the Republic's Foreign Affairs Minister, Liz O'Donnell, Security Minister, Adam Ingram, former Northern Ireland Secretary, Lord Mayhew, SDLP leader John Hume and Church of Ireland Bishop, Dr James Mehaffey.
Sinn Fein chairman, Pat Doherty was accompanied by the area's Assembly member Barry McElduff and local councillor, Sean Clarke. DUP Assembly member, Oliver Gibson was also present.
In a closing prayer to the ceremony, the Chairman of Omagh Council, Allan Rainey, asked that political and community leaders be granted "wisdom and sensitivity" in their efforts to help people live with one another.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0565
Published Date: 19-Aug-99
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