25th anniversary of Omagh bomb to be marked next month

A NUMBER of events are being organised to acknowledge the 25th anniversary of the Omagh bomb next month.

Representatives from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, the Omagh Churches Forum, Omagh Support and Self Help group and Families Moving On have been involved in discussions in recent months on how best to mark the milestone.

Thirty-one people, including unborn twins, were killed in the Real IRA atrocity on Saturday, August 15, 1998.

This year, a special 25th anniversary service will take place in memory of the victims and in support of the survivors of the bomb.

It will be held at the Memorial Garden at 3pm on Sunday, August 13.

formal anniversary

It will be the first time in five years that the anniversary of the bomb has been formally marked.

The service of remembrance will pray for the healing and wellbeing of the community, and for political and other leaders in the community.

The Our Father will be said in Irish, Spanish and English, and flowers will be laid at the Memorial Garden, and the names of those killed will also be read out.

On Tuesday, August 15, a special private event will be held in Omagh Library for the families and all those affected by the bomb.

There will be a short service and the laying of flowers at the site of the atrocity on Market Street at 3pm. Afterwards, those attending will return to the library for refreshments.