OMAGH FAMILIES MOVE ON WITH NEW VICTIMS GROUP
Omagh families 'move on' with new victims' group
BY TOMMY NETHERY
t.nethey@ulsterherald.com
A BURNING desire and determination by those affected by the Omagh bomb atrocity and other acts of terrorism to "move on" is the overriding motivation behind the establishment of a new victims' group.
On Monday evening 'Families Moving On' was officially launched and its newly elected chairman, Kevin Skelton, whose wife Mena was one of 31 people, including unborn twins, that perished in the horrific 1998 bombing insisted the group was formed to assist victims in steering their lives back on track.
Outlining the main reasons for the group's formation, the outspoken Drumquin man was critical of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, which he said had "abandoned" the needs of many victims in their sole objective of achieving justice.
"That battle is over," insisted Mr Skelton. "It was never realistic in the first place. The pursuit of justice by four or five families wasn't addressing the needs of many others, who wanted to put the past behind them. The whole emphasis was on justice
"At the end of the day what did the civil action achieve? Nothing. I wish the Self Help Group all the best but that road is not for me and many others feel the same.
"We didn't want to find ourselves in a similar situation to those caught up in Bloody Sunday who 40 years on are still seeking answers. Some of us don't have 40 years.
"I sent a letter to the Self Help Group to set up a meeting but got no response. Other people, like myself, felt something had to be done and that has led to the formation of Families Moving On."
The group has already recruited 50 new members and joining Mr Skelton at the top table is secretary Carol Bradford and treasurer Bill Jameson.
Amongst its primary objectives is the establishment of a youth section and the drawing down of funding to assist in the early development of the group.
"The ultimate aim is what it says on the tin," continued the chairman, who recently launched a book entitled 'Sent By An Angel' which tells his story before, during and after the Real IRA bombing on August 15,1998.
"Our door is open to anyone affected in any way by terrorism."
The group will initially meet once a month and hopes to elect a full committee shortly.
BY TOMMY NETHERY
t.nethey@ulsterherald.com
A BURNING desire and determination by those affected by the Omagh bomb atrocity and other acts of terrorism to "move on" is the overriding motivation behind the establishment of a new victims' group.
On Monday evening 'Families Moving On' was officially launched and its newly elected chairman, Kevin Skelton, whose wife Mena was one of 31 people, including unborn twins, that perished in the horrific 1998 bombing insisted the group was formed to assist victims in steering their lives back on track.
Outlining the main reasons for the group's formation, the outspoken Drumquin man was critical of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, which he said had "abandoned" the needs of many victims in their sole objective of achieving justice.
"That battle is over," insisted Mr Skelton. "It was never realistic in the first place. The pursuit of justice by four or five families wasn't addressing the needs of many others, who wanted to put the past behind them. The whole emphasis was on justice
"At the end of the day what did the civil action achieve? Nothing. I wish the Self Help Group all the best but that road is not for me and many others feel the same.
"We didn't want to find ourselves in a similar situation to those caught up in Bloody Sunday who 40 years on are still seeking answers. Some of us don't have 40 years.
"I sent a letter to the Self Help Group to set up a meeting but got no response. Other people, like myself, felt something had to be done and that has led to the formation of Families Moving On."
The group has already recruited 50 new members and joining Mr Skelton at the top table is secretary Carol Bradford and treasurer Bill Jameson.
Amongst its primary objectives is the establishment of a youth section and the drawing down of funding to assist in the early development of the group.
"The ultimate aim is what it says on the tin," continued the chairman, who recently launched a book entitled 'Sent By An Angel' which tells his story before, during and after the Real IRA bombing on August 15,1998.
"Our door is open to anyone affected in any way by terrorism."
The group will initially meet once a month and hopes to elect a full committee shortly.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1998
Published Date: 29-Apr-10
Related Images
