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Bomb memorial discussions 'frank' | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Relatives of the Omagh bomb victims have met with Victims' Minister David Hanson to discuss the delay in erecting a memorial stone. | |
The memorial has been planned for several years. | The memorial has been planned for several years. |
Michael Gallagher, whose son Aiden was killed in the bomb, described the talks as frank and said they would wait to see what help the minister could give. | |
"We will judge him on his performance rather than his words," he said. | |
"That was basically the way it was left. If there is not a quick resolution to this we will be back banging on his doors." | |
The relatives believe the delay has been caused by the Sinn Fein-dominated council who have objected to the wording for the memorial. | |
The words proposed for the monument were to read: "To honour and remember 31 people murdered and hundreds injured from three nations by a dissident republican terrorist car bomb." | The words proposed for the monument were to read: "To honour and remember 31 people murdered and hundreds injured from three nations by a dissident republican terrorist car bomb." |
Mr Gallagher said Sinn Fein objected to the word terrorist being used in the memorial. | Mr Gallagher said Sinn Fein objected to the word terrorist being used in the memorial. |
Sinn Fein councillor and assembly member Barry McElduff rejected this, saying he had not seen the words before Thursday. | Sinn Fein councillor and assembly member Barry McElduff rejected this, saying he had not seen the words before Thursday. |
However, earlier his party colleague Councillor Sean Clarke said: "Omagh council has unanimously agreed to unveil a memorial stone in 2008, to mark the 10th anniversary of the tragedy and the council has also unanimously agreed the wording of the inscription." | However, earlier his party colleague Councillor Sean Clarke said: "Omagh council has unanimously agreed to unveil a memorial stone in 2008, to mark the 10th anniversary of the tragedy and the council has also unanimously agreed the wording of the inscription." |
Speaking ahead of his meeting with the relatives Mr Hanson said he was "genuinely sorry" the row had developed. | Speaking ahead of his meeting with the relatives Mr Hanson said he was "genuinely sorry" the row had developed. |
Mr Gallagher said difficulties first surfaced when they presented their form of words to a special working grouping involving Omagh District Council representatives earlier this year. | Mr Gallagher said difficulties first surfaced when they presented their form of words to a special working grouping involving Omagh District Council representatives earlier this year. |
He said: "They thanked us and then at the next meeting said it's better to broaden this out for consultation and better to have widespread public support. | He said: "They thanked us and then at the next meeting said it's better to broaden this out for consultation and better to have widespread public support. |
Wording | Wording |
"The real reason is because the council is not willing to accept wording on the stone that states the facts of what happened on August 15 1998." | "The real reason is because the council is not willing to accept wording on the stone that states the facts of what happened on August 15 1998." |
"We're talking about a Sinn Fein-controlled council, and they are not going to have it, or it would have happened," Mr Gallagher added. | "We're talking about a Sinn Fein-controlled council, and they are not going to have it, or it would have happened," Mr Gallagher added. |
Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey, who has met with the Omagh families, said all the families wanted was a simple plaque at the point where the blast occurred. | Ulster Unionist Party leader Sir Reg Empey, who has met with the Omagh families, said all the families wanted was a simple plaque at the point where the blast occurred. |
"Nobody is actually suggesting that the Provisional republican movement did it. The victims' group isn't suggesting that," he said. | "Nobody is actually suggesting that the Provisional republican movement did it. The victims' group isn't suggesting that," he said. |
"But the fact is there's resistance to the wording and it's merely prolonging their agony and not helping their healing. | "But the fact is there's resistance to the wording and it's merely prolonging their agony and not helping their healing. |
"They should be entitled to have a simple memorial." | "They should be entitled to have a simple memorial." |
In a statement, Omagh District Council said the working group believed "it was essential to create a memorial which would be valued and respected by the whole community". | In a statement, Omagh District Council said the working group believed "it was essential to create a memorial which would be valued and respected by the whole community". |
"This process has been a long-term project which has been sensitive to the healing process within the community," it continued. | |
Twenty nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, died in the explosion on 15 August 1998. | Twenty nine people, including a woman pregnant with twins, died in the explosion on 15 August 1998. |