BOMB MEMORIAL WAR OF WORDS
BOMB MEMORIAL WAR OF WORDS
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
AS the Independent Facilitation Team chaired by Dr John Dunlop prepares to unveil the wording for the new permanent Omagh Bomb Memorial, victims' spokesman Michael Gallagher has accused the council of showing "a lack of respect" by excluding his group.
Dr Dunlop's team was appointed by Omagh District Council to meet "on a private and confidential basis with those affected by the Omagh bomb" and discuss their views on the narrative for the new 'Garden of Light' memorial. In light of the views expressed, the Independent Facilitation Team would then "make a clear, concise recommendation" to council on the narrative for the memorial and its location. That recommendation will be made public tonight (Thursday).
However, Mr Gallagher said he had hoped the team led by the former Presbyterian Moderator would disclose its findings to the Omagh Families Support Group prior to making a public announcement. Instead, he said, they have to rely on the press to inform them of what has been decided.
"It is only through the press that we have learned of this meeting to announce their findings and we have not been invited to come at all," said Mr Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the August 15, 1998 atrocity which claimed a total of 31 lives including two unborn children.
"We had hoped that this three-man team would do what previous investigation teams have done on serious matters that have been dealt with in the past and told the families first," he said.
"I am not aware of any arrangements put in place to inform the families of this report, so I assume we are expected to find out through the press. I think it would have been more respectful for the three-man team to come and meet the families beforehand."
Mr Gallagher said he is not overly optimistic that the outcome of the report will reflect the families wishes.
"I think experience has shown the people that commission a report usually receive a report that doesn't disappoint them," he said. "We feel that the Facilitation Team will not come up with the words that have been on the stone in the Memorial Garden for the past number of years.
"That is my thoughts, but we will not know for certain until they actually deliver the wording on Thursday night. We, as a group, will be then meeting on Monday evening to discuss their findings and to also discuss how to move our own plans forward of how to mark the tenth anniversary.
"We know what is needed and will finalise our plans and mark this event in a way that we think is fitting."
The development works on the new memorial garden has commenced on site. The temporary memorial stone, provided by Omagh District Council, was removed by the council for safekeeping.
The new memorial garden will be opened in time for the tenth anniversary of the Omagh bomb on August 15.
BY MARK McKELVEY
m.mckelvey@ulsterherald.com
AS the Independent Facilitation Team chaired by Dr John Dunlop prepares to unveil the wording for the new permanent Omagh Bomb Memorial, victims' spokesman Michael Gallagher has accused the council of showing "a lack of respect" by excluding his group.
Dr Dunlop's team was appointed by Omagh District Council to meet "on a private and confidential basis with those affected by the Omagh bomb" and discuss their views on the narrative for the new 'Garden of Light' memorial. In light of the views expressed, the Independent Facilitation Team would then "make a clear, concise recommendation" to council on the narrative for the memorial and its location. That recommendation will be made public tonight (Thursday).
However, Mr Gallagher said he had hoped the team led by the former Presbyterian Moderator would disclose its findings to the Omagh Families Support Group prior to making a public announcement. Instead, he said, they have to rely on the press to inform them of what has been decided.
"It is only through the press that we have learned of this meeting to announce their findings and we have not been invited to come at all," said Mr Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the August 15, 1998 atrocity which claimed a total of 31 lives including two unborn children.
"We had hoped that this three-man team would do what previous investigation teams have done on serious matters that have been dealt with in the past and told the families first," he said.
"I am not aware of any arrangements put in place to inform the families of this report, so I assume we are expected to find out through the press. I think it would have been more respectful for the three-man team to come and meet the families beforehand."
Mr Gallagher said he is not overly optimistic that the outcome of the report will reflect the families wishes.
"I think experience has shown the people that commission a report usually receive a report that doesn't disappoint them," he said. "We feel that the Facilitation Team will not come up with the words that have been on the stone in the Memorial Garden for the past number of years.
"That is my thoughts, but we will not know for certain until they actually deliver the wording on Thursday night. We, as a group, will be then meeting on Monday evening to discuss their findings and to also discuss how to move our own plans forward of how to mark the tenth anniversary.
"We know what is needed and will finalise our plans and mark this event in a way that we think is fitting."
The development works on the new memorial garden has commenced on site. The temporary memorial stone, provided by Omagh District Council, was removed by the council for safekeeping.
The new memorial garden will be opened in time for the tenth anniversary of the Omagh bomb on August 15.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1928
Published Date: 06-Mar-08
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