VICTIMS REMEMBERED
Victims remembered
By John McCusker
Hundreds attend second anniversary of Omagh bomb
HUNDREDS attending the inter-denominational service to mark the second anniversary of the Omagh bombing were told that everyone must play their part in creating a brighter future for the young people of the area.
Many shops and business in the town centre closed on Tuesday afternoon as people gathered at the newly-sited memorial garden on Drumragh Avenue to observed a minutes silence in memory of those who died in the atrocity exactly two years ago.
Relatives of many of those who died in the blast stood shoulder to shoulder with the injured in the small remembrance garden constructed a short distance from the scene of the blast.
They were joined by church and civic leaders for the half-hour ceremony which included readings from the co-chairman of Omagh Church Forum, Fr Michael Keaveny and Church of Ireland Minister, Rev Robert Clarke, who was deputising for the other co-chairman, Rev Derek Quinn.
Rebuilding work on premises along Market Street which had been destroyed in the atrocity, also came to a standstill throughout the service.
At 3pm bells rang from all churches in the town. And in the moments leading up to 3.10pm - the time the bomb exploded on the Saturday afternoon Council Chief Executive, John McKinney called for a moment of silent reflection to remember the dead and injured.
Wreaths were laid in memory of the young exchange student victims from Madrid and Donegal, by the Manchester based Spanish
Consulate, the Duque De Luna, Javier Urzaiz, and Jim Sheridan, Chairman of Buncrana District Council. While the Chairman of Omagh Council, Liam McQuaid, laid a wreath on behalf of the local community.
Addressing those present, Cllr McQuaid said the town had suffered following the 'dastardly attack on that Saturday afternoon.'
The devastation inflicted upon the community had reached further afield than Omagh, he said. It had also affected the people of Buncrana and Madrid who were now inextricably linked and who shared in local people's sorrows.
Cllr McQuaid said the bereaved and injured had borne their pain with fortitude and resilience, qualities which would be tested to the full when the inquest hearing into the outrage opened next month.
"We as a community must individually and collectively offer all the help and support we can during what will undoubtedly be a particularly painful few weeks," he said.
"Our communities must now strive to create a new and brighter future for all our young people, a future free from bigotry and hatred, built on mutual respect and understanding. And we must all play our part in creating that future.
"I have every confidence that together we can achieve that," the Chairman added.
Others who participated in the service included two members of Omagh Community Youth Choir, Lyndsay Alexander and Naomi Cooney, who were accompanied by choir leader, Darryl Simpson, during a rendition of The Lord is my Shepherd. The Pastor of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Kenny Young read a poem, while Maeve Campbell of the Women's Group of the Church Forum also addressed those present.
Among tributes placed at the memorial was a wreath portraying the colours of the Spanish flag, with the inscription 'From Spain to all the victims of the Omagh bomb.' And a message attached to another read, 'With fondest memories of our little flowergirl and all who died on August 15' - Donna Marie and Garry McGillion.
Earlier, relatives of those who died asked for a joint RUC Gardai task force to be set up to cut through the red tape which they believe is delaying the investigation process.
By John McCusker
Hundreds attend second anniversary of Omagh bomb
HUNDREDS attending the inter-denominational service to mark the second anniversary of the Omagh bombing were told that everyone must play their part in creating a brighter future for the young people of the area.
Many shops and business in the town centre closed on Tuesday afternoon as people gathered at the newly-sited memorial garden on Drumragh Avenue to observed a minutes silence in memory of those who died in the atrocity exactly two years ago.
Relatives of many of those who died in the blast stood shoulder to shoulder with the injured in the small remembrance garden constructed a short distance from the scene of the blast.
They were joined by church and civic leaders for the half-hour ceremony which included readings from the co-chairman of Omagh Church Forum, Fr Michael Keaveny and Church of Ireland Minister, Rev Robert Clarke, who was deputising for the other co-chairman, Rev Derek Quinn.
Rebuilding work on premises along Market Street which had been destroyed in the atrocity, also came to a standstill throughout the service.
At 3pm bells rang from all churches in the town. And in the moments leading up to 3.10pm - the time the bomb exploded on the Saturday afternoon Council Chief Executive, John McKinney called for a moment of silent reflection to remember the dead and injured.
Wreaths were laid in memory of the young exchange student victims from Madrid and Donegal, by the Manchester based Spanish
Consulate, the Duque De Luna, Javier Urzaiz, and Jim Sheridan, Chairman of Buncrana District Council. While the Chairman of Omagh Council, Liam McQuaid, laid a wreath on behalf of the local community.
Addressing those present, Cllr McQuaid said the town had suffered following the 'dastardly attack on that Saturday afternoon.'
The devastation inflicted upon the community had reached further afield than Omagh, he said. It had also affected the people of Buncrana and Madrid who were now inextricably linked and who shared in local people's sorrows.
Cllr McQuaid said the bereaved and injured had borne their pain with fortitude and resilience, qualities which would be tested to the full when the inquest hearing into the outrage opened next month.
"We as a community must individually and collectively offer all the help and support we can during what will undoubtedly be a particularly painful few weeks," he said.
"Our communities must now strive to create a new and brighter future for all our young people, a future free from bigotry and hatred, built on mutual respect and understanding. And we must all play our part in creating that future.
"I have every confidence that together we can achieve that," the Chairman added.
Others who participated in the service included two members of Omagh Community Youth Choir, Lyndsay Alexander and Naomi Cooney, who were accompanied by choir leader, Darryl Simpson, during a rendition of The Lord is my Shepherd. The Pastor of the Church of Latter Day Saints, Kenny Young read a poem, while Maeve Campbell of the Women's Group of the Church Forum also addressed those present.
Among tributes placed at the memorial was a wreath portraying the colours of the Spanish flag, with the inscription 'From Spain to all the victims of the Omagh bomb.' And a message attached to another read, 'With fondest memories of our little flowergirl and all who died on August 15' - Donna Marie and Garry McGillion.
Earlier, relatives of those who died asked for a joint RUC Gardai task force to be set up to cut through the red tape which they believe is delaying the investigation process.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1403
Published Date: 17-Aug-00
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