Omagh's solidarity with European victims of terrorism

A SERIES of terrorist attacks across Europe during the past year will be remembered when the 18th anniversary of the Omagh bomb is marked on Sunday.

Hundreds of people have been killed as a result of atrocities in Germany, France and Belgium. The Omagh Support and Self Help Group says the suffering of the people bereaved or injured on the continent “resonates deeply” with those affected by the 1998 atrocity.

Speaking to the UH, Michael Gallagher, who lost his son Aidan in the attack, said the increase in terrorist killings had brought back the memory of the Omagh bomb as they prepared to remember the 31 people killed and hundreds more injured.

“This service is our chance to stand in solidarity with the victims and casualties of terrorism in Europe. Those attacks and the experience of the Omagh bomb show how people can be affected by attacks far from their own homes,” he said.

“We will show together that this inhumanity is not acceptable and that the terrorist attacks of the past year resonate deeply with anyone who has been affected by the Omagh bomb.

“The attacks in Europe bring us back to the days and hours the lives of those caught up in the Omagh bomb were changed forever and that they can identify with other terror victims on a level of understanding that no one else can comprehend.”

People from three countries were either killed or injured 18 years ago and Mr Gallagher says the annual memorial service is held to honour the victims and survivors whose lives have been devastated by the atrocity.

Beginning at 3pm, the inter-denominational service will comprise of prayer, poetry and music and will last no more than 45 minutes.

Among those in attendance will be the representatives from the British and Irish Governments, the Victims Commissioner for Northern Ireland Judith Thompson, Chief Executive of the Victims and Survivors Service Margaret Bateson and Chairperson of the Victims and Survivors Service Oliver Wilkinson.

The Omagh Support and Self Help Group is also becoming involved in a European campaign called ‘Exit Hate’ aimed at countering the appeal of narratives from extremist groups.

The OSSHG is one of eight organisations throughout Europe which are taking part in the project which consists of a website, a Facebook page, twitter account and video channel.

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