EMOTIONAL SERVICE FOR VICTIMS IN BUNCRANA
Emotional service for victims in Buncrana
THE town of Buncrana fell silent at 3.10 p.m. last Sunday afternoon, as thousands of people came together for an emotional service to commemorate the first anniversary of the Omagh bomb which took the lives of twenty-nine people and unborn twins. Hundreds of people were injured in the blast which was the worst single atrocity in the North.
On Buncrana's Main Street, more than five thousand people gathered together to remember local boys Oran Doherty (8), James Barker (12), Shaun McLaughlin (12) and Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and Rocio Abad Ramos (23) from Spain who were killed when the "Real IRA's" car bomb ripped through the carnival atmosphere in Omagh one year ago.
People gathered from all over to share, as best they could, the pain and anguish of the families of the bereaved and to express their support for the injured and bereaved families.
The lonely beat of a bodhran echoed through Buncrana's silent Main Street marking the beginning of that terrible moment in Omagh which changed the lives of so many families forever.
In silence political representatives from north and south shared the painful moment with the town's people. The Irish Government was represented by Minister of State Tom Moffat. John Semple from the Northern Ireland Office represented Secretary of State Mo Mowlan.
Fr Shane Bradley began the reflection on "A Year Ago Today" which detailed the heartache as events slowly unfolded in Buncrana and Omagh following the bomb blast.
Sinead McLaughlin, Principal of Scoil Iosagain, where Oran and Shaun were pupils, introduced members of the bereaved families who read their personal reflections. The emotional thoughts, read aloud, were followed by a short reflection from the Spanish organiser and a member of the Omagh community.
Tearfully Amanda Doherty, told of the great joy Oran had brought to their lives.
"He entered our lives and stayed such a short precious while. How grateful we are that we had you, Oran, our brief rainbow," she read.
Shaun McLaughlin's uncle, Gerry Toye, asked if the Real IRA had realised what they had done.
"To take away a life so young. There isn't much we can say to take the hurt and pain away. Gone from our lives but not our hearts," he said
Victor Barker, father of James, in his reflection gave thanks to God for his son and the great joy he had brought to all who knew him.
"For the short life of our son we praise and thank your name O Lord. For our memories of him which will never fade, until we see him again, safe in your arms," Mr Barker prayed.
Paula Mahon, co-ordinator of the Spanish School spoke of the sharing of grief and memories as she recalled Fernando and Rocio.
"We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the people of Ireland but most especially our hosts, the people of Buncrana for their kindness, love and care shown to us.
"We hope in our hearts for peace in this land and our own country. The links with Buncrana and Spain will remain strong and never be broken, she said.
Through song, mime and scripture the service spoke of love and hope and the power of good but the pain inflicted on August 15 last year was evident on the numerous tearful faces of all ages attending the ceremony.
To symbolise the hope of the community clay doves made by the pupils of Scoil Iosagain were lit to represent new life.
As the hour long ceremony came to an end, teacher Roisin McLaughlin read aloud a message to the people of Omagh entitled "We remember." It spoke of the shared grief and loss and the physical and emotional scars inflicted that day as well as the confusion of emotions experienced in the wake of the death of their loved ones.
Mrs McLaughlin spoke of the heartfelt gratitude for the kindness, care and love of the people of Omagh while carrying out the most difficult of tasks at the Leisure Centre, hospital, Chapel of rest that night and in every encounter since.
During last weekend anniversary Masses were celebrated for the three boys in the two local churches. On Saturday morning wreaths , were placed on the three adjoining graves in Cockhill Cemetery, attended by the families and officials from Omagh and Buncrana. Wreaths for Fernando and Rocio were placed at either side.
Two wreaths placed on Shaun and Oran's graves by the Barker Family carried the simple message "A painful bond unites us all."
THE town of Buncrana fell silent at 3.10 p.m. last Sunday afternoon, as thousands of people came together for an emotional service to commemorate the first anniversary of the Omagh bomb which took the lives of twenty-nine people and unborn twins. Hundreds of people were injured in the blast which was the worst single atrocity in the North.
On Buncrana's Main Street, more than five thousand people gathered together to remember local boys Oran Doherty (8), James Barker (12), Shaun McLaughlin (12) and Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and Rocio Abad Ramos (23) from Spain who were killed when the "Real IRA's" car bomb ripped through the carnival atmosphere in Omagh one year ago.
People gathered from all over to share, as best they could, the pain and anguish of the families of the bereaved and to express their support for the injured and bereaved families.
The lonely beat of a bodhran echoed through Buncrana's silent Main Street marking the beginning of that terrible moment in Omagh which changed the lives of so many families forever.
In silence political representatives from north and south shared the painful moment with the town's people. The Irish Government was represented by Minister of State Tom Moffat. John Semple from the Northern Ireland Office represented Secretary of State Mo Mowlan.
Fr Shane Bradley began the reflection on "A Year Ago Today" which detailed the heartache as events slowly unfolded in Buncrana and Omagh following the bomb blast.
Sinead McLaughlin, Principal of Scoil Iosagain, where Oran and Shaun were pupils, introduced members of the bereaved families who read their personal reflections. The emotional thoughts, read aloud, were followed by a short reflection from the Spanish organiser and a member of the Omagh community.
Tearfully Amanda Doherty, told of the great joy Oran had brought to their lives.
"He entered our lives and stayed such a short precious while. How grateful we are that we had you, Oran, our brief rainbow," she read.
Shaun McLaughlin's uncle, Gerry Toye, asked if the Real IRA had realised what they had done.
"To take away a life so young. There isn't much we can say to take the hurt and pain away. Gone from our lives but not our hearts," he said
Victor Barker, father of James, in his reflection gave thanks to God for his son and the great joy he had brought to all who knew him.
"For the short life of our son we praise and thank your name O Lord. For our memories of him which will never fade, until we see him again, safe in your arms," Mr Barker prayed.
Paula Mahon, co-ordinator of the Spanish School spoke of the sharing of grief and memories as she recalled Fernando and Rocio.
"We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all the people of Ireland but most especially our hosts, the people of Buncrana for their kindness, love and care shown to us.
"We hope in our hearts for peace in this land and our own country. The links with Buncrana and Spain will remain strong and never be broken, she said.
Through song, mime and scripture the service spoke of love and hope and the power of good but the pain inflicted on August 15 last year was evident on the numerous tearful faces of all ages attending the ceremony.
To symbolise the hope of the community clay doves made by the pupils of Scoil Iosagain were lit to represent new life.
As the hour long ceremony came to an end, teacher Roisin McLaughlin read aloud a message to the people of Omagh entitled "We remember." It spoke of the shared grief and loss and the physical and emotional scars inflicted that day as well as the confusion of emotions experienced in the wake of the death of their loved ones.
Mrs McLaughlin spoke of the heartfelt gratitude for the kindness, care and love of the people of Omagh while carrying out the most difficult of tasks at the Leisure Centre, hospital, Chapel of rest that night and in every encounter since.
During last weekend anniversary Masses were celebrated for the three boys in the two local churches. On Saturday morning wreaths , were placed on the three adjoining graves in Cockhill Cemetery, attended by the families and officials from Omagh and Buncrana. Wreaths for Fernando and Rocio were placed at either side.
Two wreaths placed on Shaun and Oran's graves by the Barker Family carried the simple message "A painful bond unites us all."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0569
Published Date: 19-Aug-99
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