SPANISH STUDENTS TOLD NOT TO VISIT OMAGH
Spanish Student told not to visit Omagh
BY: HUGH McCUSKER
Spanish students, visiting Buncrana this summer will not be attending a commemoration service in Omagh for the bomb victims.
The students have been told that they will not be visiting Northern Ireland this year, but will instead remain in the Republic throughout their stay in Ireland.
Despite the death of two of their party last year, Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and tutor, Rocia Abad Ramos (23), 90 Spaniards have returned to the Co Donegal town from Spain this year.
Three other children from Buncrana, Shaun McLaughlin (12), James Barker (12) and Oran Doherty (8) were killed in the bomb.
The decision to prevent them travelling to the North was taken after consultation between the students' families and the host families in Buncrana.
Buncrana priest, Fr Shane Bradley is originally Omagh, said "I find it an understandable decision, regrettable though it is. If we were in their shoes and if we were visiting a country and there was a terrorist attack, would we be likely to go back?"
He said that they had shown tremendous courage in coming back in the first place, especially the organisers of the trip.
The decision means that none of the group will travel to Omagh for the commemoration of the anniversary of the bomb. The students, their host families, tutors and friends will instead attend a ceremony in Buncrana.
Jim Sheridan, Chairman of the Buncrana Omagh Memorial Fund and Vice Chairman of Buncrana District Council has suggested that the council provides a memorial to those who died by erecting a symbol of peace in the town's Swan Park.
Councillor Rosemary Dunne suggested that Buncrana's Victoria Bridge, which is undergoing reconstruction, could be renamed under the theme of peace.
She said that she was pleased that the bomb had not diminished the relationship between Buncrana and Spain which had been developed over the last 10 years.
BY: HUGH McCUSKER
Spanish students, visiting Buncrana this summer will not be attending a commemoration service in Omagh for the bomb victims.
The students have been told that they will not be visiting Northern Ireland this year, but will instead remain in the Republic throughout their stay in Ireland.
Despite the death of two of their party last year, Fernando Blasco Baselga (12) and tutor, Rocia Abad Ramos (23), 90 Spaniards have returned to the Co Donegal town from Spain this year.
Three other children from Buncrana, Shaun McLaughlin (12), James Barker (12) and Oran Doherty (8) were killed in the bomb.
The decision to prevent them travelling to the North was taken after consultation between the students' families and the host families in Buncrana.
Buncrana priest, Fr Shane Bradley is originally Omagh, said "I find it an understandable decision, regrettable though it is. If we were in their shoes and if we were visiting a country and there was a terrorist attack, would we be likely to go back?"
He said that they had shown tremendous courage in coming back in the first place, especially the organisers of the trip.
The decision means that none of the group will travel to Omagh for the commemoration of the anniversary of the bomb. The students, their host families, tutors and friends will instead attend a ceremony in Buncrana.
Jim Sheridan, Chairman of the Buncrana Omagh Memorial Fund and Vice Chairman of Buncrana District Council has suggested that the council provides a memorial to those who died by erecting a symbol of peace in the town's Swan Park.
Councillor Rosemary Dunne suggested that Buncrana's Victoria Bridge, which is undergoing reconstruction, could be renamed under the theme of peace.
She said that she was pleased that the bomb had not diminished the relationship between Buncrana and Spain which had been developed over the last 10 years.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1287
Published Date: 29-Jul-99
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