Trust in memorial row could heal old wounds

LIKE many other people from Enniskillen, I am observing with huge dismay the ongoing stand-off with regard to the siting of the memorial to the victims of the Remembrance Day bombing in the town.

It is sad that there is a lack of accommodation for the placement of the memorial on the site where this atrocity of innocent civilians took place.

There is a need for a genuine recognition that the actions of the IRA were not only a desecration of property belonging to St Michael’s parish — the reading rooms — but also one of the single worst atrocities in the history of the Troubles.

This is the opportunity to stop the fudging of the issue, the opportunity to show decent, humane compassion to the families of the dead, the survivors who were badly injured, to those traumatised, to those who forgave, to those parishioners whose parish property was used for this heinous act and to all good citizens of a town we are so proud of.

I call on St Michael’s Diocesan Trust to make that symbolic step and resolve this matter, so that this sacred site may provide healing and comfort.

CLLR DIANA ARMSTRONG (UUP)

Fermanagh & Omagh Council