Omagh: pipe bomb disrupts ceremony

“Whilst our investigation is still at a very early stage, one strong line of enquiry is that violent dissident republicans are responsible.

Their actions have demonstrated the disregard and disrespect they have for this community which has already suffered so much pain and heartache at the hands of terrorists.

“It was a sickening and appalling act.”

A Remembrance service was held at Omagh Academy, but wreaths will be laid at the Cenotaph next Sunday instead. Brian Maguire, the Royal British Legion area manager for Ireland, said: “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the disruption to the Remembrance service in Omagh. “War memorials honour the memory of the members of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice and those who defend the freedom we enjoy.

“They deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.”

DUP MLA Tom Buchanan said: “Had this deadly device not been discovered we could very well have been looking at a repeat of the terrible atrocity in Enniskillen exactly 30 years ago, which is a chilling thought.

“It is disgusting that anyone would target a war memorial at any time, but on Remembrance Sunday it is an act of particular hatred.”

Ulster Unionist, Sinn Fein, SDLP, Alliance and Green Party representatives also condemned it.

PRESSEYE The scene on Drumragh Avenue, beside the memorial to the Omagh bomb victims, and (inset below) an otter is seen escaping the scene The Queen remains on the balcony with Prince Philip and the Duchess of Cornwall for the Remembrance Sunday ceremony,...