In pictures: 25 years on from the Omagh bombing

Updated / Sunday, 13 Aug 2023 12:01
At 3.10pm on Saturday 15 August 1998, a car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded next to a clothes shop in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Pictured in the aftermath is an RUC officer looking on at the damage from the explosion on Market Street
At 3.10pm on Saturday 15 August 1998, a car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded next to a clothes shop in Omagh, Co Tyrone. Pictured in the aftermath is an RUC officer looking on at the damage from the explosion on Market Street
Royal Ulster Constabulary police officers and firefighters arrive on the scene and inspect the damage caused by the explosion
Royal Ulster Constabulary police officers and firefighters arrive on the scene and inspect the damage caused by the explosion
That same day, Deputy First Minster Seamus Mallon walks though broken glass to see the carnage after the explosion
That same day, Deputy First Minster Seamus Mallon walks though broken glass to see the carnage after the explosion
One of the hundreds of people injured in the blast is airlifted from Tyrone County Hospital to the Belfast Royal Hospital. Initial tolls put the number injured at over 220, but this would rise to 300
One of the hundreds of people injured in the blast is airlifted from Tyrone County Hospital to the Belfast Royal Hospital. Initial tolls put the number injured at over 220, but this would rise to 300
The day after the bombing, floral tributes are left nearby. A message on a bunch of flowers left at the cordoned-off end of Market Street simply reads, 'Why?'
The day after the bombing, floral tributes are left nearby. A message on a bunch of flowers left at the cordoned-off end of Market Street simply reads, 'Why?'
Minister John McFall (centre right) and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott (centre) walk through the debris of bombed shops in the town centre of Omagh the day after the blast
Minister John McFall (centre right) and Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott (centre) walk through the debris of bombed shops in the town centre of Omagh the day after the blast
Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness visit the site where the bomb exploded
Sinn Féin leaders Gerry Adams and Martin McGuiness visit the site where the bomb exploded
Omagh locals express their grief the day after the blast, in which 29 people were killed
Omagh locals express their grief the day after the blast, in which 29 people were killed
As a new week begins on Monday 17 August, a man touches a photograph of one of the victims, on a homemade card left at the bomb site. Floral tributes continue to pour in.
As a new week begins on Monday 17 August, a man touches a photograph of one of the victims, on a homemade card left at the bomb site. Floral tributes continue to pour in.
A RUC officer carries flowers left for victims of the blast
A RUC officer carries flowers left for victims of the blast
RUC officers are seen later carrying bunches of flowers down to the bomb site in Omagh
RUC officers are seen later carrying bunches of flowers down to the bomb site in Omagh
Flowers and cards are laid at the scene of blast, with one reading 'Peace? What peace? What price, peace?'
Flowers and cards are laid at the scene of blast, with one reading 'Peace? What peace? What price, peace?'
Relatives look on as the coffins of Avril Monaghan and her daughter Maura leave Omagh barracks for their funeral at St McCartan's Church. Mrs Monaghan and her mother Mary Grimes were leaving a shop when the bomb went off
Relatives look on as the coffins of Avril Monaghan and her daughter Maura leave Omagh barracks for their funeral at St McCartan's Church. Mrs Monaghan and her mother Mary Grimes were leaving a shop when the bomb went off
A view of the clean-up operation in progress following the blast
A view of the clean-up operation in progress following the blast
Three days after the blast, Britain's then-Prince Charles, walks past shops destroyed by the bomb
Three days after the blast, Britain's then-Prince Charles, walks past shops destroyed by the bomb
Prince Charles lays a wreath at the bomb scene in Omagh. Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlan and First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly, David Trimble (R), are also pictured
Prince Charles lays a wreath at the bomb scene in Omagh. Northern Ireland Secretary Mo Mowlan and First Minister of the Northern Ireland Assembly, David Trimble (R), are also pictured
The coffins of Avril Monaghan and her 18 month-old daughter Maura are taken into the church in Augher, with thousands in attendance
The coffins of Avril Monaghan and her 18 month-old daughter Maura are taken into the church in Augher, with thousands in attendance
Michael Grimes, husband of grandmother Mary Grimes who was killed in the blast, and family members walk behind her remains being carried by sons and family at her funeral in Beragh, Tyrone
Michael Grimes, husband of grandmother Mary Grimes who was killed in the blast, and family members walk behind her remains being carried by sons and family at her funeral in Beragh, Tyrone
The Barker Family walk behind the coffin of their son James, four days after he was killed in the bomb blast
The Barker Family walk behind the coffin of their son James, four days after he was killed in the bomb blast
School friends of 17-year-old Samanta McFarland at her funeral service at Lisimanagh Church of Ireland church near Omagh
School friends of 17-year-old Samanta McFarland at her funeral service at Lisimanagh Church of Ireland church near Omagh

More stories on