LONE VOICE IN FIGHT FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE
Lone voice in fight for truth and justice
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
Libby Rush was more than a wife; she was Laurence's companion and soul-mate. At the time of her death in the Omagh bomb, Laurence began living a never-ending nightmare. That nightmare has stayed with him every day during the past ten years, his grief and pain as relentless as his efforts to find truth and justice so Libby can rest in peace.
Crippled by the past, his memories of the 37 years he spent with Libby dominate his thoughts this week.
"I have been very sad and stressed out. It is a long wake. I am here on my own with thoughts of what would have been. The past is very much still in the present and hasn't moved on any ten years later," says Laurence.
"There is a wee space in this house and that absence has not been filled. I am determined to get peace and compassion for my wife's memory."
Displaying the anger he still harbours for those responsible for his wife's murder, Laurence is steadfast in his efforts to find the truth so he can finally bring closure and be able to put a headstone on his wife's grave.
"I am my own person. I have a deep personal conflict and would definitely be a lone voice that has been heard strongly over the years. I am resolute that this will not finish after this weekend's anniversary. I will continue to fight for truth and justice.
"I have not put a gravestone on my wife's grave. That is an emotional decision as I have to see this through so my wife can rest in peace. I am sure she is resting in peace and probably doesn't agree with everything I do, but I am doing it for her and for my children and grandchildren.
"Those are my memorials and I don't want to witness this circus coming to town on Friday."
Due to his personal feelings about the memorial garden and the dignitaries who have been invited to the official ceremony, Laurence says he will be "escaping" the town for a few days.
"I will be attending Mass this weekend but I wont be around for the next few days. I have no notion of where I am going; anywhere will do. I just feel I have to take myself off. In my heart, what they are doing is digging up the past and I am trying to get away and get peace of mind.
"I am not happy at all with the new garden as I find it grotesque with pillars and posts. It obliterates
anything that is compassionate. It is not a place for reflection. The whole thing is a tourist attraction that is not keeping with serenity or gentleness of my wife.
"Omagh will be invaded by macabre bus-stop tourists. We are a very proud town and we don't need this.
"I don't want to criticise what anyone else is doing to get peace this weekend or cause them pain, but I personally cannot go to the anniversary service on Friday."
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
Libby Rush was more than a wife; she was Laurence's companion and soul-mate. At the time of her death in the Omagh bomb, Laurence began living a never-ending nightmare. That nightmare has stayed with him every day during the past ten years, his grief and pain as relentless as his efforts to find truth and justice so Libby can rest in peace.
Crippled by the past, his memories of the 37 years he spent with Libby dominate his thoughts this week.
"I have been very sad and stressed out. It is a long wake. I am here on my own with thoughts of what would have been. The past is very much still in the present and hasn't moved on any ten years later," says Laurence.
"There is a wee space in this house and that absence has not been filled. I am determined to get peace and compassion for my wife's memory."
Displaying the anger he still harbours for those responsible for his wife's murder, Laurence is steadfast in his efforts to find the truth so he can finally bring closure and be able to put a headstone on his wife's grave.
"I am my own person. I have a deep personal conflict and would definitely be a lone voice that has been heard strongly over the years. I am resolute that this will not finish after this weekend's anniversary. I will continue to fight for truth and justice.
"I have not put a gravestone on my wife's grave. That is an emotional decision as I have to see this through so my wife can rest in peace. I am sure she is resting in peace and probably doesn't agree with everything I do, but I am doing it for her and for my children and grandchildren.
"Those are my memorials and I don't want to witness this circus coming to town on Friday."
Due to his personal feelings about the memorial garden and the dignitaries who have been invited to the official ceremony, Laurence says he will be "escaping" the town for a few days.
"I will be attending Mass this weekend but I wont be around for the next few days. I have no notion of where I am going; anywhere will do. I just feel I have to take myself off. In my heart, what they are doing is digging up the past and I am trying to get away and get peace of mind.
"I am not happy at all with the new garden as I find it grotesque with pillars and posts. It obliterates
anything that is compassionate. It is not a place for reflection. The whole thing is a tourist attraction that is not keeping with serenity or gentleness of my wife.
"Omagh will be invaded by macabre bus-stop tourists. We are a very proud town and we don't need this.
"I don't want to criticise what anyone else is doing to get peace this weekend or cause them pain, but I personally cannot go to the anniversary service on Friday."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH10An/46
Published Date: 14-Aug-08
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