OFFICIAL MOURNING ENDS BUT PRIVATE GRIEF WILL CONTINUE FOR MANY YEARS
Official mourning ends - but private grief will continue for many years
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
SOME four hundred people stood in the stifling August heat to take part in what was an emotional and solemn ceremony of remembrance for the victims of the Omagh bomb on Friday past. The event took place on Drumragh Avenue, just a few dozen yards from the site of the original carnage.
The occasion marked the fifth anniversary of an atrocity that shocked the world and devastated Omagh and the surrounding areas. Thirty-one people perished when a Real-IRA bomb detonated in Market Street on what was to be a community carnival day in the town.
Remembering the dead and injured at Friday's ceremony, which was largely religious, many people bowed their heads in prayer, and there were many tears shed during the thirty minute ceremony.
The event began with the Chief Executive of the Council, Danny McSorley, welcoming those who had come to pay their respects on what will be the final public commemoration until the tenth anniversary. Representatives of the British and Irish Governments were present as well as a Spanish representative.
Vida Lake of the Bahai community, delivered a Baha prayer, after which there were musical tributes to those killed in a day of terrorist infamy.
During the ceremony, people dressed in Irish dancing costumes and Scottish pipe band costumes and some in GAA jerseys carried wreaths of flowers, coming together symbolically, on the Bridge of Hope, Drumragh Bridge. The Omagh bomb, like so many in the past, was indiscriminate killing people of all ages, beliefs, and gender, and maiming hundreds more. It was the single worst atrocity of the 'Troubles' and came just months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement had offered a new beginning for this part of Ireland.
Various local church leaders took part in turn to offer prayers, and there were several members of the public who read religious texts. Prayers were also said in Irish and Spanish.
The event brings to a close a five year period of official mourning though few can doubt that for those bereaved and injured the suffering will continue for years to come.
Coinciding with the ceremony were calls for the Real-IRA and the Continuity to call immediate ceasefires. In the immediate aftermath of the bombing the Real-IRA did announce a ceasefire, however, it was short lived, and there have been several incidents since.
Juts over a week ago, the suspected leader of the Real-IRA, Michael McKevitt was jailed for directing terrorism, however, his crimes related to matters after the Omagh bombing. Only one person, Colm Murphy, has been jailed in connection with the bombing.
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
SOME four hundred people stood in the stifling August heat to take part in what was an emotional and solemn ceremony of remembrance for the victims of the Omagh bomb on Friday past. The event took place on Drumragh Avenue, just a few dozen yards from the site of the original carnage.
The occasion marked the fifth anniversary of an atrocity that shocked the world and devastated Omagh and the surrounding areas. Thirty-one people perished when a Real-IRA bomb detonated in Market Street on what was to be a community carnival day in the town.
Remembering the dead and injured at Friday's ceremony, which was largely religious, many people bowed their heads in prayer, and there were many tears shed during the thirty minute ceremony.
The event began with the Chief Executive of the Council, Danny McSorley, welcoming those who had come to pay their respects on what will be the final public commemoration until the tenth anniversary. Representatives of the British and Irish Governments were present as well as a Spanish representative.
Vida Lake of the Bahai community, delivered a Baha prayer, after which there were musical tributes to those killed in a day of terrorist infamy.
During the ceremony, people dressed in Irish dancing costumes and Scottish pipe band costumes and some in GAA jerseys carried wreaths of flowers, coming together symbolically, on the Bridge of Hope, Drumragh Bridge. The Omagh bomb, like so many in the past, was indiscriminate killing people of all ages, beliefs, and gender, and maiming hundreds more. It was the single worst atrocity of the 'Troubles' and came just months after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement had offered a new beginning for this part of Ireland.
Various local church leaders took part in turn to offer prayers, and there were several members of the public who read religious texts. Prayers were also said in Irish and Spanish.
The event brings to a close a five year period of official mourning though few can doubt that for those bereaved and injured the suffering will continue for years to come.
Coinciding with the ceremony were calls for the Real-IRA and the Continuity to call immediate ceasefires. In the immediate aftermath of the bombing the Real-IRA did announce a ceasefire, however, it was short lived, and there have been several incidents since.
Juts over a week ago, the suspected leader of the Real-IRA, Michael McKevitt was jailed for directing terrorism, however, his crimes related to matters after the Omagh bombing. Only one person, Colm Murphy, has been jailed in connection with the bombing.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1605
Published Date: 21-Aug-03
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