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Catholic World News News Feature

Leaders condemn Omagh bombing August 17, 1998

By Kieron Wood

In the aftermath of a brutal bombing in Omagh, in Northern Ireland, political and religious leaders of all descriptions hastened to condemn the violence and to emphasize their commitment to the peace process.

The bombing, which left 28 people dead and 200 injured, is the worst such incident in the history of "the troubles." The victims include five young girls and one 18-month-old baby.

Father Eugene Hasson, the Catholic chaplain at the town's hospital, said: "There is no-one in Omagh who has not been affected by this to a greater or lesser degree. Everybody knows somebody who was either killed yesterday or injured in the bombing.

"Some of those directly affected will only be hit by the full force of this later this week," Father Hasson added. "It is almost too awful to contemplate.

British prime minister, Tony Blair, has cut short his vacation in France to rush to Belfast-- where the Deputy British prime minister, John Prescott, was already on the scene. President McAleese, a native of Northern Ireland, headed directly to Omagh.

The Irish president quickly released a statement on the killing: "I am deeply shocked to learn of the appalling bombing in Omagh, which has left so many dead and injured. My heart goes out to the bereaved families who are now left to mourn their loved ones. The bombing has obliterated the hopes and dreams of so many families in one cruel afternoon of purposeless terrorism. We must do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice quickly and that they face the full rigor of the law. The families who have so grievously suffered in Omagh must have the hope and certainty that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. The promise of the Good Friday agreement cannot be frustrated by those responsible for this cowardly act. This appalling bombing must bond us all together to redouble our efforts to foster the consensus and reconciliation which so many throughout this island have been working to achieve."

Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, said "I condemn the bombing without any equivocation whatsoever." It was the first time he had condemned a Republican bombing. Police suspect that the bomb was responsibility of a splinter group which had broken off from the Irish Republican Army and is seeking to stop the implementation of the Good Friday peace agreement.

Martin McGuinness, a spokesman for Sinn Fein, echoed Adams' sentiment. "I am appalled and disgusted at what has happened in Omagh," he said. "It was an indefensible action.... This appalling act was carried out by those opposed to the peace process. It is designed to wreck the process and everyone should work to ensure the peace process continues."

Archbishop Sean Brady of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, said: "I am appalled, shocked and deeply saddened by this dreadful atrocity which has killed and maimed so many innocent people. I pray that God may comfort the families and relatives of those who have died. Those who carried out this terrible act of murder have done so with a ruthless determination to wreck the prospects for peace. They must not be allowed to succeed.

Archbishop Desmond Connell of Dublin said: "'I wish to convey my horror at the sadistic attack on the people of Omagh. May God grant the fullness of eternal life to all who have been robbed of the gift of life, healing to those who have been cruelly injured, and comfort to the bereaved and distressed."

Cardinal Basil Hume, head of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, asked for prayers for everyone affected by what he called a crime against humanity .

Pope John Paul joined in condemnation of the attack. "My earnest hope for that beloved country is that the Irish people of good will will not succumb to violence and that they will persevere with determination in building that peaceful coexistence on which the whole future depends," he told pilgrims and tourists at his summer residence of Castel Gandolfo.

Dr. John Dixon, Moderator of northern Ireland's largest Protestant Church, the Presbyterian Church, added: "I am totally outraged at the ruthless bombing in Omagh which has cost so many human lives. I extend the sympathy of the Presbyterian Church to the families and friends of those who have died and to the injured. ... The full support of everyone should be given to decisive action that must now be taken by the British and Irish governments and the security forces acting on both sides of the border to stop these terrorists who are committed to bringing death and destruction. They must not be allowed to do this any more."

US President Bill Clinton described the Omagh bombing as a barbaric act and said the perpetrators of violence would find no friends in the United States. White House officials said the bombing would not affect plans for the President's visit to Ireland on September 3.