OMAGH MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR SPANISH BOMB VICTIMS
Omagh memorial services for Spanish bomb victims
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims held the first of two memorial services in the town on Sunday to show solidarity with the families of those killed and injured in the Madrid blasts.
The ceremony took place at the Omagh Memorial Garden at 3pm on Sunday afternoon and included music, a period of reflection and prayer.
It was followed by a reflection service at the Station Centre where the Omagh Community Youth Choir performed for a large crowd, including visiting exchange students from Asturias in northern Spain.
At least 200 people were killed and over 1,000 injured when 10 bombs exploded without warning on rush-hour trains in the Spanish capital last Thursday morning.
The tragedy provoked vivid memories of the Real IRA bombing of Omagh in August 1998, in which two Spaniards were among the 29 people and unborn twins murdered.
Omagh has had strong connections with Spain in the years since the attack and hosted the Spanish Special Olympics team as they prepared for the Special Olympics World Games in Dublin last summer.
A Spanish flag with a black ribbon attached to it was flying as relatives of victims of the Omagh bomb held a poignant and moving service on Sunday afternoon.
A minute's silence was observed and floral tributes and single red roses were laid by the relatives. Fr Kevin Mullan led a period of reflection and Rev Robert Herron and Rev Derek Quinn said prayers and offered readings. Hymns were sung by Leslie Matthews.
Michael Gallagher, Chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, said the service was an opportunity for the families and the people of Omagh to show solidarity with those who lost their lives and the survivors in Madrid.
He said "Last week's bombings brought back all the memories of Omagh the fact that these people were just going about their daily business, the hospitals suddenly overwhelmed with devastation and the communications systems cut off.
"I could understand the panic people were having when trying to contact someone they cared about, you always think the worst."
Afterwards, nearly 200 people attended a community service which took place at the Station Centre on Sunday evening from 4.30pm-5.30pm.
The Omagh Community Youth Choir, formed in 1998 after the Omagh atrocity, performed at the touching service which took the form of prayers, music and readings. Spanish exchange students, Myriam Gonzalez and Sonia Diaz, and their course tutor, Urbano Alvarez Perez, were also in attendance along with a number of Spanish teachers working at local schools.
Guest speakers included Michael Gallagher, Allan Rainey, Chairman of Omagh District Council, Stanley Millar, Stephen McKenna, Brian
McDaid and Dr Irfran Hassan.
Mike Reynolds, from Omagh Community Youth Choir's management committee, said the service was held to allow local people show their sympathy for the people of Madrid.
"The ceremony went very well indeed and it was very pleasing that we had a full house to express sentiments of sympathy, understanding and friendship from the Omagh community to the people of Spain and Madrid.
"I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who took part and it was particularly rewarding that the feelings of emotion and togetherness expressed were appreciated by the Spanish delegation who were also present," he said.
"The images of last week's horrific attack on Madrid brought back memories of the atrocity we suffered here in Omagh so we just wanted the Spanish people to know that we understand their anguish and pain," added Mr Reynolds.
BY NIGEL MCDONAGH
RELATIVES of the Omagh bomb victims held the first of two memorial services in the town on Sunday to show solidarity with the families of those killed and injured in the Madrid blasts.
The ceremony took place at the Omagh Memorial Garden at 3pm on Sunday afternoon and included music, a period of reflection and prayer.
It was followed by a reflection service at the Station Centre where the Omagh Community Youth Choir performed for a large crowd, including visiting exchange students from Asturias in northern Spain.
At least 200 people were killed and over 1,000 injured when 10 bombs exploded without warning on rush-hour trains in the Spanish capital last Thursday morning.
The tragedy provoked vivid memories of the Real IRA bombing of Omagh in August 1998, in which two Spaniards were among the 29 people and unborn twins murdered.
Omagh has had strong connections with Spain in the years since the attack and hosted the Spanish Special Olympics team as they prepared for the Special Olympics World Games in Dublin last summer.
A Spanish flag with a black ribbon attached to it was flying as relatives of victims of the Omagh bomb held a poignant and moving service on Sunday afternoon.
A minute's silence was observed and floral tributes and single red roses were laid by the relatives. Fr Kevin Mullan led a period of reflection and Rev Robert Herron and Rev Derek Quinn said prayers and offered readings. Hymns were sung by Leslie Matthews.
Michael Gallagher, Chairman of the Omagh Self Help and Support Group, said the service was an opportunity for the families and the people of Omagh to show solidarity with those who lost their lives and the survivors in Madrid.
He said "Last week's bombings brought back all the memories of Omagh the fact that these people were just going about their daily business, the hospitals suddenly overwhelmed with devastation and the communications systems cut off.
"I could understand the panic people were having when trying to contact someone they cared about, you always think the worst."
Afterwards, nearly 200 people attended a community service which took place at the Station Centre on Sunday evening from 4.30pm-5.30pm.
The Omagh Community Youth Choir, formed in 1998 after the Omagh atrocity, performed at the touching service which took the form of prayers, music and readings. Spanish exchange students, Myriam Gonzalez and Sonia Diaz, and their course tutor, Urbano Alvarez Perez, were also in attendance along with a number of Spanish teachers working at local schools.
Guest speakers included Michael Gallagher, Allan Rainey, Chairman of Omagh District Council, Stanley Millar, Stephen McKenna, Brian
McDaid and Dr Irfran Hassan.
Mike Reynolds, from Omagh Community Youth Choir's management committee, said the service was held to allow local people show their sympathy for the people of Madrid.
"The ceremony went very well indeed and it was very pleasing that we had a full house to express sentiments of sympathy, understanding and friendship from the Omagh community to the people of Spain and Madrid.
"I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who took part and it was particularly rewarding that the feelings of emotion and togetherness expressed were appreciated by the Spanish delegation who were also present," he said.
"The images of last week's horrific attack on Madrid brought back memories of the atrocity we suffered here in Omagh so we just wanted the Spanish people to know that we understand their anguish and pain," added Mr Reynolds.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1646
Published Date: 18-Mar-04
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