THOSE WHO DID THIS ARE THE VERMIN OF SOCIETY
Those who did this are the vermin of society.
BY JOHN McCUSKER
REACTION to the damage caused to the Garden of Remembrance came swiftly after after the destruction was discovered by a passer-by around 7.30am.
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was among those killed, said he was close to tears when he saw the destruction. He called for security cameras to be installed in a bid to halt the spiral of vandalism.
He said: "The people of Omagh have been hurt many times since the bombing and this is just another pain we could well do without. It is very difficult to understand the thinking behind it.
"It was absolute scum who carried out this attack. These are the vermin of society.
"If there had been CCTV cameras installed, maybe police could identify those who went on the wrecking spree."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian was one of those who died, said families of those killed were numbed beyond belief at the destruction.
"Bereaved families and injured people are trying to deal with the past and look to the future in a positive way," he pointed out.
"It is very sad to think there are others out there going about destroying one of the most sacred places in Omagh.
"It is important that we should do everything possible to ensure, as far as possible, that this cannot happen again."
Elizabeth Gibson, who lost her sister Esther in the atrocity, questioned whether the act was linked to the relatives' civil case which had recently received high-profile coverage.
When she first heard of the incident she said she could not believe people could stoop so low. "I believe it is the same calibre of people who carried out this attack as carried out the bombing," she added.
One of the first to arrive on the scene, Community Independent Councillor, Paddy McGowan, described how he felt a 'tremendous sense of loneliness' as he surveyed the destruction.
"I arrived at the garden at around 7.30am and I was absolutely devastated as I just could not believe what I was seeing.
"How anyone could even think about carrying out this dreadful act is completely beyond me and I can only wonder what is in their minds because there is certainly nothing in their heads," said Cllr McGowan.
UUP West Tyrone MP, Willie Thompson, also strongly condemned the attack and said that the people responsible were 'not normal'.
"Who in their right mind would carry out such an abominable act on this beautiful site. These people have shown a complete lack of respect for the victims of the Omagh bomb, the bereaved and the wider community throughout Omagh.
"I am completely shocked and disgusted by this disgraceful act of vandalism," he said.
Condemning the incident as 'wanton vandalism,' Cllr Francis Mackey, chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, said it was a total insult to the bereaved. However, he said he still opposed the positioning of closed-circuit television cameras in the town.
"This type of vandalism and anti-social behaviour appears to be increasing in Omagh with absolutely nothing being done to curb it," he said.
"It is a known fact that the RUC is not an acceptable police force and they are not in a position to deal with this effectively.
"I still oppose any introduction of CCTV cameras and think Nationalist people are also opposed, given the unacceptability of the RUC."
DUP Councillor Oliver Gibson slammed what he termed a sinister and sickening act.
The garden was in a spot which was out of the way, secluded and specially selected by Omagh Council as the most appropriate spot for all who wish to sit and reflect, he added.
Superintendent James Baxter labelled the incident totally disgusting and urged anyone with information to contact police. He added: "How anyone could perpetrate such a deed is beyond belief.
"It is not only an attack on the garden but also on the entire community of Omagh who have suffered so much.
"The people who carried out this mindless attack must to caught and brought to justice."
BY JOHN McCUSKER
REACTION to the damage caused to the Garden of Remembrance came swiftly after after the destruction was discovered by a passer-by around 7.30am.
Stanley McCombe, whose wife Ann was among those killed, said he was close to tears when he saw the destruction. He called for security cameras to be installed in a bid to halt the spiral of vandalism.
He said: "The people of Omagh have been hurt many times since the bombing and this is just another pain we could well do without. It is very difficult to understand the thinking behind it.
"It was absolute scum who carried out this attack. These are the vermin of society.
"If there had been CCTV cameras installed, maybe police could identify those who went on the wrecking spree."
Michael Gallagher, whose son Adrian was one of those who died, said families of those killed were numbed beyond belief at the destruction.
"Bereaved families and injured people are trying to deal with the past and look to the future in a positive way," he pointed out.
"It is very sad to think there are others out there going about destroying one of the most sacred places in Omagh.
"It is important that we should do everything possible to ensure, as far as possible, that this cannot happen again."
Elizabeth Gibson, who lost her sister Esther in the atrocity, questioned whether the act was linked to the relatives' civil case which had recently received high-profile coverage.
When she first heard of the incident she said she could not believe people could stoop so low. "I believe it is the same calibre of people who carried out this attack as carried out the bombing," she added.
One of the first to arrive on the scene, Community Independent Councillor, Paddy McGowan, described how he felt a 'tremendous sense of loneliness' as he surveyed the destruction.
"I arrived at the garden at around 7.30am and I was absolutely devastated as I just could not believe what I was seeing.
"How anyone could even think about carrying out this dreadful act is completely beyond me and I can only wonder what is in their minds because there is certainly nothing in their heads," said Cllr McGowan.
UUP West Tyrone MP, Willie Thompson, also strongly condemned the attack and said that the people responsible were 'not normal'.
"Who in their right mind would carry out such an abominable act on this beautiful site. These people have shown a complete lack of respect for the victims of the Omagh bomb, the bereaved and the wider community throughout Omagh.
"I am completely shocked and disgusted by this disgraceful act of vandalism," he said.
Condemning the incident as 'wanton vandalism,' Cllr Francis Mackey, chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Movement, said it was a total insult to the bereaved. However, he said he still opposed the positioning of closed-circuit television cameras in the town.
"This type of vandalism and anti-social behaviour appears to be increasing in Omagh with absolutely nothing being done to curb it," he said.
"It is a known fact that the RUC is not an acceptable police force and they are not in a position to deal with this effectively.
"I still oppose any introduction of CCTV cameras and think Nationalist people are also opposed, given the unacceptability of the RUC."
DUP Councillor Oliver Gibson slammed what he termed a sinister and sickening act.
The garden was in a spot which was out of the way, secluded and specially selected by Omagh Council as the most appropriate spot for all who wish to sit and reflect, he added.
Superintendent James Baxter labelled the incident totally disgusting and urged anyone with information to contact police. He added: "How anyone could perpetrate such a deed is beyond belief.
"It is not only an attack on the garden but also on the entire community of Omagh who have suffered so much.
"The people who carried out this mindless attack must to caught and brought to justice."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/0764
Published Date: 03-May-01
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