NO LESSONS LEARNED FROM OMAGH ATROCITY
No lessons learned from Omagh atrocity'
BY ALAN RODGERS
a.rodgers@ulsterherald.com
A SHARP rise in the number of attacks by dissident republicans during recent weeks must be prevented from leading to a repeat of the carnage caused by the Omagh bomb 12 years ago.
The Real IRA blast caused the deaths of 31 people at Market Street in the town on August 15 1998. Now the families of those who died have said it is unthinkable that a similar atrocity could take place.
Speaking following the Sunday's anniversary service, the spokesperson for the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, Michael Gallagher, said no lessons appeared to have been learned from Omagh.
"These people certainly haven't listened to their own community and the whole community," he said.
"I have long since given up listening to what the governments and politicians say. The chances are that they probably are speaking to dissidents when they say that they're not.
"It is important that clarity is provided to the people out there who are involved in violence that there is no room for another Good Friday Agreement. We have been there, and the people who have been victims have swallowed that bitter pill.
"While we are against violence and desire that it ends, I don't want to see more protracted negotiations between terrorists and governments.
"The families need to be understand what is happening.
"The message must go out that all the issues can be resolved through non-violent means. A tiny minority are not going to hold this country to ransom."
Mr Gallagher went on to say that more powers should be granted to the police and Garda if they are required.
And, in relation to talks with the British Government scheduled for next month, he said that the families would not be accepting preconditions about the possibility of a full cross-border independent inquiry into the Omagh bomb.
Mr Gallagher was reacting to comments by the Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Hugo Swire MP who said that both he and the Secretary of State would be meeting with the families.
"I was very pleased to have been asked and to be able to come here (to Omagh) 12 years after this appalling tragedy," said the Conservative politician.
"The service showed that everyone has moved on from the days of violence. Devolution is working and we shall have no truck with those who set their face against democracy."
There has been much speculation during the past few weeks about whether or not the governments are in secret negotiations with representatives of so-called dissident republicanism.
But the Minister of State, who attended the service with his counterpart in the Republic, Peter Power TD, denied that any talks were taking place.
BY ALAN RODGERS
a.rodgers@ulsterherald.com
A SHARP rise in the number of attacks by dissident republicans during recent weeks must be prevented from leading to a repeat of the carnage caused by the Omagh bomb 12 years ago.
The Real IRA blast caused the deaths of 31 people at Market Street in the town on August 15 1998. Now the families of those who died have said it is unthinkable that a similar atrocity could take place.
Speaking following the Sunday's anniversary service, the spokesperson for the Omagh Support and Self Help Group, Michael Gallagher, said no lessons appeared to have been learned from Omagh.
"These people certainly haven't listened to their own community and the whole community," he said.
"I have long since given up listening to what the governments and politicians say. The chances are that they probably are speaking to dissidents when they say that they're not.
"It is important that clarity is provided to the people out there who are involved in violence that there is no room for another Good Friday Agreement. We have been there, and the people who have been victims have swallowed that bitter pill.
"While we are against violence and desire that it ends, I don't want to see more protracted negotiations between terrorists and governments.
"The families need to be understand what is happening.
"The message must go out that all the issues can be resolved through non-violent means. A tiny minority are not going to hold this country to ransom."
Mr Gallagher went on to say that more powers should be granted to the police and Garda if they are required.
And, in relation to talks with the British Government scheduled for next month, he said that the families would not be accepting preconditions about the possibility of a full cross-border independent inquiry into the Omagh bomb.
Mr Gallagher was reacting to comments by the Minister of State for Northern Ireland, Hugo Swire MP who said that both he and the Secretary of State would be meeting with the families.
"I was very pleased to have been asked and to be able to come here (to Omagh) 12 years after this appalling tragedy," said the Conservative politician.
"The service showed that everyone has moved on from the days of violence. Devolution is working and we shall have no truck with those who set their face against democracy."
There has been much speculation during the past few weeks about whether or not the governments are in secret negotiations with representatives of so-called dissident republicanism.
But the Minister of State, who attended the service with his counterpart in the Republic, Peter Power TD, denied that any talks were taking place.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/2011
Published Date: 19-Aug-10
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