MADRID STAINED GLASS WINDOW REMEMBERS OMAGH BOMB VICTIM
Madrid stained glass window remembers Omagh bomb victims
BY JOHN McCUSKER
j.mccusker@ulsterherald.com
A STAINED glass window dedicated to the memory of two Spanish victims killed in the 1998 Omagh bomb has been unveiled in Madrid.
Fernando Blasco Baselga, 13, and Rocio Abad Ramos, 23, were on an exchange trip to Ireland when they were caught up in the explosion in Market Street. They were two of the 29 people, which included a woman pregnant with twins, who were killed.
The stained glass window is one of four which had been designed and created by the families of victims of the Buncrana, Omagh, Claudy and Madrid bomb attacks and one has now been placed in each of the towns.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, was among 200-300 people who joined the family of Fernando Blasco Baselga at CEU San Pablo University in Madrid last Thursday. Fernando's father, Manuel Blasco, was hurt in an ETA bomb attack in Madrid in 1992. He had sent his two sons and daughter to Ireland in 1998 to improve their English.
The young schoolboy was taking part in an exchange trip with children from Donegal, and had gone on the day trip to Omagh. Although Fernando was some distance from the bomb, he was killed instantly when struck by a single piece of debris. His 15-year-old sister, Donna Marie, was also on the trip and has undergone extensive plastic surgery for facial injuries.
Fernando's family said, "We would like the deaths of Fernando and Rocio to be the last ones caused by terrorism and their deaths to shed a ray of hope on the paths of peace".
After the unveiling ceremony, Mr Gallagher said, "It was a very important milestone for the families involved in creating this window and it was a very dignified and moving occasion.
"The family of Fernando Blasco Baselga was present at the event and it was touching to meet a family with which we share a common suffering," he added.
"The window incorporated symbols relating to those who were affected by the troubles from Omagh, Buncrana, Claudy and Madrid. It will be lasting memory for the generations to come."
BY JOHN McCUSKER
j.mccusker@ulsterherald.com
A STAINED glass window dedicated to the memory of two Spanish victims killed in the 1998 Omagh bomb has been unveiled in Madrid.
Fernando Blasco Baselga, 13, and Rocio Abad Ramos, 23, were on an exchange trip to Ireland when they were caught up in the explosion in Market Street. They were two of the 29 people, which included a woman pregnant with twins, who were killed.
The stained glass window is one of four which had been designed and created by the families of victims of the Buncrana, Omagh, Claudy and Madrid bomb attacks and one has now been placed in each of the towns.
Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan, was among 200-300 people who joined the family of Fernando Blasco Baselga at CEU San Pablo University in Madrid last Thursday. Fernando's father, Manuel Blasco, was hurt in an ETA bomb attack in Madrid in 1992. He had sent his two sons and daughter to Ireland in 1998 to improve their English.
The young schoolboy was taking part in an exchange trip with children from Donegal, and had gone on the day trip to Omagh. Although Fernando was some distance from the bomb, he was killed instantly when struck by a single piece of debris. His 15-year-old sister, Donna Marie, was also on the trip and has undergone extensive plastic surgery for facial injuries.
Fernando's family said, "We would like the deaths of Fernando and Rocio to be the last ones caused by terrorism and their deaths to shed a ray of hope on the paths of peace".
After the unveiling ceremony, Mr Gallagher said, "It was a very important milestone for the families involved in creating this window and it was a very dignified and moving occasion.
"The family of Fernando Blasco Baselga was present at the event and it was touching to meet a family with which we share a common suffering," he added.
"The window incorporated symbols relating to those who were affected by the troubles from Omagh, Buncrana, Claudy and Madrid. It will be lasting memory for the generations to come."
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/2045
Published Date: 29-Mar-12
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