An act of remembrance has taken place in Omagh to mark the second anniversary of the car bomb in which 29 people were killed. The commemoration marked the single worst atrocity of the Troubles. An inquest into the bombing is due to start in the town next month. People gathered for the act of remembrance at approximately 3.10pm, the time the 500lb car bomb exploded, killing 18 adults and 11 children. Wreaths were placed in the Garden of Remembrance; Protestant and Catholic church bells across the town chimed before a minute's silence.
The interdenominational service was led by clergy from the Protestant and Catholic churches in the town. Also present were the chairman of Omagh District Council and Jim Sheridan, chairman of Buncrana Council. There were also relatives of the two young Buncrana boys who were killed, Oran Doherty and Sean McLoughlin. The leader of a group of Spanish students resident in Buncrana, Alberto Louzan, was also present. He was there to remember the two Spaniards who were also killed.
The Taoiseach and the British Prime Minister have said that they regret more people have not been charged in connection with the atrocity. In a joint statement, the leaders pledged that the RUC/Garda inquiry into the atrocity, which they said had been a model of co-operation, would continue. However, they said that it was a matter of regret that there have not been more charges. Justice, they said, demanded that those responsible for the horror of Omagh are brought before the courts.
Victor Barker, whose son James was one of the 29 killed in the explosion, said that relatives of the dead believed there were people in the Republican community who could help convict the bombers. He added that he is saddened that Gerry Adams has refused to appeal for help in tracing those responsible. Michael Gallagher, whose son was also killed in the bombings, said that the Republican movement could do more to help the investigation.
