FAMILIES OF VICTIMS TO STAY AWAY FROM INQUEST
Families of bomb victims to stay away from inquest
By JOHN McCUSKER
THE husband of one of those who died in the Market Street bombing has claimed he will not attend the Inquest into the atrocity, as details which emerge would only serve to reopen painful memories.
Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was among the victims, says he is more focused on finding her killers, than participating in an Inquest "steeped in officialdom which will reach no worthwhile conclusion."
The Inquest into 29 men, women and children and unborn twins, which opens in Omagh Leisure Centre on Wednesday next, is expected to last up to four weeks.
But it is understood that families of many of those who died are reluctant to participate in the proceedings which take place in the building which acted as a control centre during the quest to identify victims.
However, the Northern Ireland Court Service, who have been involved in arranging the Inquest, have pointed out that the Leisure Centre is the only suitable building in the district where the Inquest could be held.
Laurence Rush endured an agonising 42 hour wait with his family before being told his wife and 'soulmate' was among the victims.
"Right up until the end, I believed she was still alive and they just couldn't identify her. I clung onto that hope until the final moments," he said this week.
"But now I am more focused on finding the killers than listening to the gory details which are likely to come out of this.
"I have no reason to attend the Inquest. I know how my wife died. She was murdered that day on the streets of Omagh. And to go along to the Inquest will only serve to reopen wounds as far as I'm concerned.
"My mind is now focused on finding those who carried out the atrocity which, at the time, I hoped would be the final bomb to be detonated in this country.
"However, I believe the authorities are not interested any more in catching the culprits. To them, the peace agreement is more important than the killing of 31 people in Omagh," he added.
Although Mr Rush does not intend being present during the hearings, he will be represented by solicitors acting on his behalf.
Turning to the recent participation of the chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, Francis Mackey, in the Geneva Convention on Human Rights, Mr Rush said the move would only serve to further the aims of a small minority whose motives were totally opposed to democracy.
"Is this man to become a peace ambassador when such hurt has been perpetrated on the people of his home town of Omagh?" Mr Rush asked.
"He does not represent me or the vast majority of people of this town. Instead he represents our grief and loss and is an open wound to the people of this area.
"Mr Mackey says that the illegal claim to part of Ireland is contrary to the wishes of the greater majority of the Irish people. I would ask this man can he prove his point by producing statistical evidence, or has he assumed he now has the support of the small minority, disillusioned by the peace process?
"Perhaps he will eventually realise the error of his assumptions, but the question is: how many innocent people will lose their lives before he realises what a dream world he and his followers inhabit?" added Mr Rush.
Meanwhile, Trauma Centre co-ordinator, Michael Duffy said that for some relatives, the Inquest will be a difficult time for many people, especially the bereaved and witnesses who are called to give evidence. The Inquest may produce material which may be 'sensitive and difficult' for many to handle.
"A number of relatives were not in town on the day of the bomb and the Inquest has the potential to expose them to a lot of material for the first time," he said.
"The Inquest will impact on many layers within the community and many, who are trying to come to terms with the huge sense of separation and loss, will.be compelled to think about the deaths of their loved ones, but also circumstances of their deaths.
"We have been linking with the bereaved and witnesses in an effort to see what additional help they may need in addition to the support which they will receive from their families and friends.
"Some may choose not to attend. Others will attend out of a sense of duty to the deceased. But whatever decision they take, they will have to be supported throughout."
He appealed to members of the press covering the event to abide by proper codes of conduct and to ensure that proper standards of journalism were maintained in order to minimise any distress which may be caused to families.
By JOHN McCUSKER
THE husband of one of those who died in the Market Street bombing has claimed he will not attend the Inquest into the atrocity, as details which emerge would only serve to reopen painful memories.
Laurence Rush, whose wife Libby was among the victims, says he is more focused on finding her killers, than participating in an Inquest "steeped in officialdom which will reach no worthwhile conclusion."
The Inquest into 29 men, women and children and unborn twins, which opens in Omagh Leisure Centre on Wednesday next, is expected to last up to four weeks.
But it is understood that families of many of those who died are reluctant to participate in the proceedings which take place in the building which acted as a control centre during the quest to identify victims.
However, the Northern Ireland Court Service, who have been involved in arranging the Inquest, have pointed out that the Leisure Centre is the only suitable building in the district where the Inquest could be held.
Laurence Rush endured an agonising 42 hour wait with his family before being told his wife and 'soulmate' was among the victims.
"Right up until the end, I believed she was still alive and they just couldn't identify her. I clung onto that hope until the final moments," he said this week.
"But now I am more focused on finding the killers than listening to the gory details which are likely to come out of this.
"I have no reason to attend the Inquest. I know how my wife died. She was murdered that day on the streets of Omagh. And to go along to the Inquest will only serve to reopen wounds as far as I'm concerned.
"My mind is now focused on finding those who carried out the atrocity which, at the time, I hoped would be the final bomb to be detonated in this country.
"However, I believe the authorities are not interested any more in catching the culprits. To them, the peace agreement is more important than the killing of 31 people in Omagh," he added.
Although Mr Rush does not intend being present during the hearings, he will be represented by solicitors acting on his behalf.
Turning to the recent participation of the chairman of the 32 County Sovereignty Committee, Francis Mackey, in the Geneva Convention on Human Rights, Mr Rush said the move would only serve to further the aims of a small minority whose motives were totally opposed to democracy.
"Is this man to become a peace ambassador when such hurt has been perpetrated on the people of his home town of Omagh?" Mr Rush asked.
"He does not represent me or the vast majority of people of this town. Instead he represents our grief and loss and is an open wound to the people of this area.
"Mr Mackey says that the illegal claim to part of Ireland is contrary to the wishes of the greater majority of the Irish people. I would ask this man can he prove his point by producing statistical evidence, or has he assumed he now has the support of the small minority, disillusioned by the peace process?
"Perhaps he will eventually realise the error of his assumptions, but the question is: how many innocent people will lose their lives before he realises what a dream world he and his followers inhabit?" added Mr Rush.
Meanwhile, Trauma Centre co-ordinator, Michael Duffy said that for some relatives, the Inquest will be a difficult time for many people, especially the bereaved and witnesses who are called to give evidence. The Inquest may produce material which may be 'sensitive and difficult' for many to handle.
"A number of relatives were not in town on the day of the bomb and the Inquest has the potential to expose them to a lot of material for the first time," he said.
"The Inquest will impact on many layers within the community and many, who are trying to come to terms with the huge sense of separation and loss, will.be compelled to think about the deaths of their loved ones, but also circumstances of their deaths.
"We have been linking with the bereaved and witnesses in an effort to see what additional help they may need in addition to the support which they will receive from their families and friends.
"Some may choose not to attend. Others will attend out of a sense of duty to the deceased. But whatever decision they take, they will have to be supported throughout."
He appealed to members of the press covering the event to abide by proper codes of conduct and to ensure that proper standards of journalism were maintained in order to minimise any distress which may be caused to families.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1429
Published Date: 31-Aug-00
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