Memorial for IRA bus bomb victims

Hundreds attended the unveiling of a new memorial at the 30th anniversary service for eight soldiers killed in the Ballygawley bus bombing in Northern Ireland.

Poppy wreaths were laid by survivors and relatives of the dead.

Another 28 were injured after the IRA set off a roadside bomb as the bus was travelling between Ballygawley and Omagh in Co Tyrone.

Members of the Omagh Protestant Boys Band returning from a parade were among the first at the scene and tried to resuscitate soldiers who were “stretched out and lying on the road”, Mr Barton added.

The Light Infantry Regiment soldiers were returning to a base near Omagh after a short holiday.

During yesterday’s service, Susan Greener, whose brother Richard Greener was among those killed, laid a poppy wreath on behalf of the regiment.

Survivor Private James Leatherbarrow said it was a relief to put things to rest and pay tribute to the dead: “It has haunted me for 30 years. Seeing this is so humble and lovely, that people still care – unbelievable.”