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Clergy at 'official' Omagh event Clergy at 'official' Omagh event
(10 minutes later)
Church leaders in Omagh have said they will only attend the 'official' 10th anniversary service for victims of the Real IRA bomb attack.Church leaders in Omagh have said they will only attend the 'official' 10th anniversary service for victims of the Real IRA bomb attack.
Clergy from the four main denominations rejected an invitation to attend a memorial event next Sunday.Clergy from the four main denominations rejected an invitation to attend a memorial event next Sunday.
This was organised by some families of the 29 people who died in the attack.This was organised by some families of the 29 people who died in the attack.
Presbyterian, Methodist, Church of Ireland and Catholic representatives will instead attend a service staged by Omagh District Council next Friday.Presbyterian, Methodist, Church of Ireland and Catholic representatives will instead attend a service staged by Omagh District Council next Friday.
The move comes amid a growing row over plans for the anniversary of the bloodiest atrocity in the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.The move comes amid a growing row over plans for the anniversary of the bloodiest atrocity in the history of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
At least 10 families are boycotting next Friday's council-run event, which will take place on the date of the bombing, in protest at how plans for new memorials were handled.At least 10 families are boycotting next Friday's council-run event, which will take place on the date of the bombing, in protest at how plans for new memorials were handled.
Michael Gallagher, who is chair of the family support group organising the Sunday service, said relatives had been stunned by the rejection from the churchmen.Michael Gallagher, who is chair of the family support group organising the Sunday service, said relatives had been stunned by the rejection from the churchmen.
"Some of these clergy buried our loved ones," he said."Some of these clergy buried our loved ones," he said.
"We can't believe they aren't coming. They are boycotting and marginalising the families.""We can't believe they aren't coming. They are boycotting and marginalising the families."
Mr Gallagher said representatives from the main churches had attended the group's Sunday service for the last four years.Mr Gallagher said representatives from the main churches had attended the group's Sunday service for the last four years.
An artist's impression of the new memorial garden
Reverend John Murdoch, from the Presbyterian Church in Omagh, said he and the other church leaders had agreed unanimously that it was more appropriate for them to attend the council event.Reverend John Murdoch, from the Presbyterian Church in Omagh, said he and the other church leaders had agreed unanimously that it was more appropriate for them to attend the council event.
"We decided that we would support the main event on the Friday," he said."We decided that we would support the main event on the Friday," he said.
"That is the official one, the one on the Sunday is not official.""That is the official one, the one on the Sunday is not official."
In lieu of the four clergymen, the support group has asked a British army padre based at Ballykinlar, County Down, and an Omagh born Catholic priest, who now ministers in Wales, to officiate at their service.In lieu of the four clergymen, the support group has asked a British army padre based at Ballykinlar, County Down, and an Omagh born Catholic priest, who now ministers in Wales, to officiate at their service.
The families who are staying away from the Friday event are unhappy at how the council handled the contentious issue of the wording for new memorials erected at the bomb site on the town's Market Street and at a nearby garden of remembrance.The families who are staying away from the Friday event are unhappy at how the council handled the contentious issue of the wording for new memorials erected at the bomb site on the town's Market Street and at a nearby garden of remembrance.
Kevin Skelton, who lost his wife, Philomena, said he would have no part of the council event.Kevin Skelton, who lost his wife, Philomena, said he would have no part of the council event.
"There's a whole range of issues I've got problems with," he said."There's a whole range of issues I've got problems with," he said.
"The whole wording issue and some of the politicians that are going to be there - I think they've (the council) have made a real mess of it altogether."The whole wording issue and some of the politicians that are going to be there - I think they've (the council) have made a real mess of it altogether.
"They certainly didn't consult with us about the event. There are more than ten families who won't be there."They certainly didn't consult with us about the event. There are more than ten families who won't be there.
"I have no objection with a family going, it's their choice, but I certainly won't be part of it.""I have no objection with a family going, it's their choice, but I certainly won't be part of it."
Members of the support group wanted the retention of a phrase engraved on an original tribute stone, which has since been removed from the garden of remembrance, stating that the victims were "murdered by a dissident republican terrorist car bomb".Members of the support group wanted the retention of a phrase engraved on an original tribute stone, which has since been removed from the garden of remembrance, stating that the victims were "murdered by a dissident republican terrorist car bomb".
The council appointed an independent fact-finding team to try and resolve the issue and councillors unanimously accepted its recommendation to use the phrase on the walls of the garden of remembrance, but not on the glass obelisk at the bomb site.The council appointed an independent fact-finding team to try and resolve the issue and councillors unanimously accepted its recommendation to use the phrase on the walls of the garden of remembrance, but not on the glass obelisk at the bomb site.
Sinn Fein councillor and chairperson of Omagh council Martin McLoughlin said it was a pity some families had decided not to attend.Sinn Fein councillor and chairperson of Omagh council Martin McLoughlin said it was a pity some families had decided not to attend.
However, he defended the council's approach to the memorial issue.However, he defended the council's approach to the memorial issue.
"I'd love to see everyone there on Friday," he said."I'd love to see everyone there on Friday," he said.
"As a council we have tried to do our best to mark the anniversary."As a council we have tried to do our best to mark the anniversary.
"I realise it's a sensitive time and different people will react differently."I realise it's a sensitive time and different people will react differently.
"But I can't legislate for how some families are going to react, that's their prerogative.""But I can't legislate for how some families are going to react, that's their prerogative."
A total of 29 people and two unborn children were killed in the Real IRA attack on the County Tyrone town on 15 August 1998.A total of 29 people and two unborn children were killed in the Real IRA attack on the County Tyrone town on 15 August 1998.