CONFRONTING OUR NIGHTMARE
Confronting our nightmare
Some people are denied even the relative luxury of grieving in private; they are consigned to mourning lost loved ones in the full glare of public attention. So it has been for many bereaved and, indeed, those maimed, injured seriously and deeply traumatised by the Omagh bomb. Not for them, so far, the dubious comfort that time heals the deepest of wounds. Yet the atrocity committed at the very heart of Omagh on August 15, 1998, has left an entire community bereaved. It was dealt, a death blow on that fateful day, even those not present at the scene of carnage were left reeling in its wake.
The victims did not even have to be present. Among them were Omagh people living elsewhere. They include actor Gerard McSorley who was compelled home to grieve; to stand with neighbours and shake his head in forlorn bafflement at a blast from hell. Gerard McSorley brings that Omagh sensitivity, along with other personal grieving, to his leading role in Omagh, which will be screened by RTE on Saturday and next week on Channel 4. For some, this film is unacceptable intrusion on their grief; the very idea of watching it is unthinkable for many and inadvisable for others. Explicit portrayal is bound to jolt most viewers. For Omagh people, it will be a stunning encounter with a nightmare come to life.
Many argue the film should never have been undertaken or not yet. But is there ever a right time for dramatic portrayal of real tragedy? Sometimes there is no choice but to explore in drama our worst fears and acts. The catharsis could be a release for emotions left comatose on that awful day.
That said, this is a time for utmost sensitivity. It is everyone's right to grieve and mourn. It is everyone's duty to be sensitive to those who cannot yet face the consequences. Yes, we need to talk, as a community, as neighbours, as friends and families of what happened then and what has happened since. Those who need to say their piece about this film can do so in private through the trauma counselling services. Those who need to say what they think in public can do so through the local media or through special outlets such as the Channel 4 website forum which is to be launched next week or the UlsterHerald website forum which goes on-line in time for the RTE screening this week (www.ulsterherald.com). Life continued after August 15, 1998, it will resume after this film. There is healing in the certainty that even the worst they could throw at us never caused Omagh to falter or fail as a caring community.
Some people are denied even the relative luxury of grieving in private; they are consigned to mourning lost loved ones in the full glare of public attention. So it has been for many bereaved and, indeed, those maimed, injured seriously and deeply traumatised by the Omagh bomb. Not for them, so far, the dubious comfort that time heals the deepest of wounds. Yet the atrocity committed at the very heart of Omagh on August 15, 1998, has left an entire community bereaved. It was dealt, a death blow on that fateful day, even those not present at the scene of carnage were left reeling in its wake.
The victims did not even have to be present. Among them were Omagh people living elsewhere. They include actor Gerard McSorley who was compelled home to grieve; to stand with neighbours and shake his head in forlorn bafflement at a blast from hell. Gerard McSorley brings that Omagh sensitivity, along with other personal grieving, to his leading role in Omagh, which will be screened by RTE on Saturday and next week on Channel 4. For some, this film is unacceptable intrusion on their grief; the very idea of watching it is unthinkable for many and inadvisable for others. Explicit portrayal is bound to jolt most viewers. For Omagh people, it will be a stunning encounter with a nightmare come to life.
Many argue the film should never have been undertaken or not yet. But is there ever a right time for dramatic portrayal of real tragedy? Sometimes there is no choice but to explore in drama our worst fears and acts. The catharsis could be a release for emotions left comatose on that awful day.
That said, this is a time for utmost sensitivity. It is everyone's right to grieve and mourn. It is everyone's duty to be sensitive to those who cannot yet face the consequences. Yes, we need to talk, as a community, as neighbours, as friends and families of what happened then and what has happened since. Those who need to say their piece about this film can do so in private through the trauma counselling services. Those who need to say what they think in public can do so through the local media or through special outlets such as the Channel 4 website forum which is to be launched next week or the UlsterHerald website forum which goes on-line in time for the RTE screening this week (www.ulsterherald.com). Life continued after August 15, 1998, it will resume after this film. There is healing in the certainty that even the worst they could throw at us never caused Omagh to falter or fail as a caring community.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1661
Published Date: 20-May-04
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