OMAGH BOMB MEMORIAL INSCRIPTION STILL CONTENIOUS
Omagh bomb memorial inscription still contentious
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
a.mullan@ulsterherald.com
AS the Omagh Council prepares to close the Memorial Garden for a refurbishment in time for the tenth anniversary of the atrocity that was the bombing of Omagh, the spokesperson for the victims self help group fears that the memorial stone will never be returned.
Michael Gallagher, said he believes that the plinth which contains the inscription: To honour and remember the 31 people, from three nations murdered by a dissident republican terrorist organisation on August 15, 1999 will not be replaced.
Though no-one in the council is saying so openly, there is clearly chagrin in some quarters against that inscription being included on the monument planned for Market Street, and for that reason, Mr Gallagher believes that the memorial garden plinth will never be replaced.
An indication of the fact that that inscription is causing difficulties for some within the council can be gleaned from the fact that the council set up an independent team to look at the issue. Mr Gallagher is somewhat perplexed that some people are still objecting to the truth being told.
A Council spokesperson said a contractor has now been appointed to undertake the site works at the garden and to install the glass pillar at Market Street. "It is expected that the site works will commence during February, however, before this work can take place it will be necessary to close the existing temporary Memorial Garden with effect from Monday 4 February, 2008."
Families bereaved by the Omagh bomb have been asked to remove any personal mementoes or items from the garden before that date. Remaining items, including the memorial stone, will be removed by Council staff and placed in secure storage.
The council spokesperson continued, "The nature and location of any narrative for the Omagh Memorial is currently being considered by the Independent Facilitation Team, chaired by the Rev Dr John Dunlop, who are still engaging in meetings with those affected by the Omagh bomb. The report and recommendations of the team, which will be taken in consideration of the views and opinions conveyed by all of those who participated in the process, is expected at the end of February 2008. A decision as to the future location of the memorial stone will be taken in the context of their report."
BY ADRIAN MULLAN
a.mullan@ulsterherald.com
AS the Omagh Council prepares to close the Memorial Garden for a refurbishment in time for the tenth anniversary of the atrocity that was the bombing of Omagh, the spokesperson for the victims self help group fears that the memorial stone will never be returned.
Michael Gallagher, said he believes that the plinth which contains the inscription: To honour and remember the 31 people, from three nations murdered by a dissident republican terrorist organisation on August 15, 1999 will not be replaced.
Though no-one in the council is saying so openly, there is clearly chagrin in some quarters against that inscription being included on the monument planned for Market Street, and for that reason, Mr Gallagher believes that the memorial garden plinth will never be replaced.
An indication of the fact that that inscription is causing difficulties for some within the council can be gleaned from the fact that the council set up an independent team to look at the issue. Mr Gallagher is somewhat perplexed that some people are still objecting to the truth being told.
A Council spokesperson said a contractor has now been appointed to undertake the site works at the garden and to install the glass pillar at Market Street. "It is expected that the site works will commence during February, however, before this work can take place it will be necessary to close the existing temporary Memorial Garden with effect from Monday 4 February, 2008."
Families bereaved by the Omagh bomb have been asked to remove any personal mementoes or items from the garden before that date. Remaining items, including the memorial stone, will be removed by Council staff and placed in secure storage.
The council spokesperson continued, "The nature and location of any narrative for the Omagh Memorial is currently being considered by the Independent Facilitation Team, chaired by the Rev Dr John Dunlop, who are still engaging in meetings with those affected by the Omagh bomb. The report and recommendations of the team, which will be taken in consideration of the views and opinions conveyed by all of those who participated in the process, is expected at the end of February 2008. A decision as to the future location of the memorial stone will be taken in the context of their report."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1922
Published Date: 31-Jan-08
Related Images
