BY RONAN McSHERRY
THERE has been a lukewarm response from relatives of the Omagh Bomb victims to the unveiling of Working Group entrusted with the task of wording the narrative for the new Memorial. It is proposed to be in place in time for the 10th Anniversary of the bomb on August 15, 2008.
The explosion killed 31 people, including unborn twins and caused injury and trauma to hundreds of others.
The Memorial Working Group has agreed that the site of the bomb in Market Street and the site of the temporary memorial garden at Drumragh Avenue, will be the focus of the proposed memorial, with both sites being treated in an integrated manner in respect of the memorial.
Chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Group Michael Gallagher, described the announcement of the Independent Facilitation team without consultation with the relatives as 'disrespectful', while Lawrence Rushe, whose wife Libby died in the Real IRA atrocity, said he was opposed to any sort of shrine.
The Rev Dr John Dunlop, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, has been appointed by Omagh District Council to Chair the three strong team.
The other members of the team are Fr Brian Lennon SJ, Programme Manager and founder member of Community Dialogue (NI), and Mrs Olive Hobson who works in a peacebuilding role on behalf of Quaker House Belfast.
Speaking at the press launch on Tuesday, Danny McSorley, chairperson of Omagh Memorial Working Group pledged that the independent professional facilitator group will lead discussions involving all those affected by the atrocity about the wording on the plaque."
Rev Dunlop said, "Our aim is to produce a narrative that everyone can support, so that when the Memorial is dedicated, the unity, faith and hope of the people of Omagh, standing together, will be the most eloquent, powerful and enduring to those who planted the bomb."
However Michael Gallagher, who emphasised the Relatives Support group 'had absolutely no difficulty' with the members of the Independent Facilitation team accused the Council of being 'disrespectful.'
He said, "We were just told this is the system to be used. It would have created more trust and gave a better feeling to the families if they felt they had been part of appointing mediators rather than having the mediators appointed and we have to fall into line."
Mr Gallagher also expressed disappointment that none of the relatives were formally invited to the unveiling of the facilitation team. "It might have been good manners even before the day to meet with the team. We should have been engaged with the whole process," he added.
"We will discuss what happened on Tuesday and the procedure used for the appointment and then make a decision on whether we feel it is important to meet with them."
Lawrence Rush, who was the only member of the public to attend the press conference re-iterated his opposition to any sort of shrine.
"I don't want to be confronted with the death of my wife, I don't see there is anything to be gained from that," he said.
"There are other things that the money could be spent on, a bursary or a scholarship that would be of benefit to the children of the future rather than a monument.
" I have my monument, my monument is my three children and grandchildren and in the cemetery. If we put one in Omagh it could be vandalised."
Information relating to the facilitation process and an invitation to meet with the facilitators has already been delivered to all the bereaved families and to those who were injured as a result of the bomb.
All those who wish to contribute their views on the subject of a narrative for the new memorial are encouraged to register with the Independent Facilitation Team by Friday November 23, 2007, if possible, to arrange a meeting; or to submit written comments by Friday November 30, 2007.
Written comments can be sent to the following address: Rev Dr John Dunlop, Chairperson, Independent Facilitation Team, c/o Omagh District Council, The Grange, Mountjoy Road, Omagh, BT79 7BL. Tel: 028 82256217
