Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
OMAGH REMEMBERED
Families unite at service for loved ones killed in Real IRA bomb horror
RELATIVES of those killed in the Omagh bombing gathered yesterday to remember their loved ones 20 years after the explosion.
An inter-dominational remembrance service took place at the memorial garden in the Co Tyrone town.
Twenty-nine people and unborn twins, were killed in the car bomb that ripped through Omagh on August 15, 1998. The victims came from Northern Ireland, the Republic, England and Spain.
The atrocity was claimed by a republican splinter group which called itself the Real IRA.
PSNI Chief Constable George Hamilton, former Ombudsman Baroness Nuala O’loan and Ireland’s Health Minister Simon Harris are among those attending the event.
Secretary of State Karen Bradley and Ireland’s premier Leo Varadkar were both criticised for their decision not to attend. In a statement, Ms Bradley said: “I would like to express my deepest sympathy to those affected by the devastating Omagh bombing ahead of the 20th anniversary this week.
“I hope today’s commemoration ceremony provides comfort to all those bereaved and is marked by hope and remembrance.
“We must never forget the loss that the victims of terrorism live with each day and the remarkable courage of all those affected by such unspeakable acts.” The Omagh Community Youth Choir performed a piece of music composed for the event by its musical director Daryl Simpson.
The choir includes Cara Mcgillion, 17, the daughter of Donna Marie and Garry who were left seriously injured in the attack.
Relatives of the dead sat opposite the reflecting pool at the memorial garden, their garlands of flowers reflected in the pool. A song was sung for Our Special Absent Friends. Michael Gallagher,
whose son Aiden was among those killed, paid tribute to all the victims of the 30-year Northern Ireland conflict, including the La Mon hotel IRA bombing in 1978.
Mr Gallagher said Northern Ireland was facing its greatest challenge and called on the politicians to seek agreement “so that we can move forward”.
He added: “Working alone we can achieve very little but in collaborative ventures we can achieve a great deal.”
We must never forget the loss victims of terrorism live with
KAREN BRADLEY SECRETARY OF STATE