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| Latest News |
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| Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG) take part is Basque Government Event |
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| Tue 13 May 2008 |
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Michael Gallagher and other members will travel to San Sebastian this week to take part in the Second Edition of the Institutional Event to Pay Tribute and Respect to Victims of Terrorism. The event will take place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th May 2008.
In recent years, the Basque institutions have been promoting numerous initiatives to pay tribute and respect to people affected by terrorism. In particular they have focused on an event in which the whole of the Basque society and Government can pay tribute to those who have suffered the consequences of acts of terrorism. The second edition of this event will be held with the main message being that there is no cause whatsoever that justifies the use of violence to obtain political goals.
All victims of terrorism who reside in the Basque country or in the rest of Spain are invited to the event, which will be attended by many government institutions in the Basque region.
Michael Gallagher along with 6 other members of the OSSHG will provide an insight into his experiences and work in recent years.
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| Civil Action Moves to Dublin |
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| Mon 12 May 2008 |
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Some of the Omagh families will travel to Dublin on Monday 12th May 2008 where the Civil Action will begin in court there. Court has moved to Dublin to allow Guarda officers to give evidence before the Court.
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| OMAGH VICTIMS GROUP CHAIRMAN TO SPEAK AT HUMAN RIGHTS CONFERENCE |
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| Mon 07 April 2008 |
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Michael Gallagher, Chairman of the Omagh Bomb victims group will be a guest speaker at the Human Rights Conference taking place in Bilbao on Wednesday 9th April 2008.
Michael will be speaking on his terrorist related experiences and how victims are affected.
Mr Gallagher is a regular speaker at international conferences; he spoke recently in Washington DC and Bogota, Columbia and also addressed participants at the International Victims Conference in Madrid earlier this year.
His 21 year old son is one of 31 victims who lost their lives in the Omagh Bomb.
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| Victims families to meet Police Ombudsman |
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| Wed 02 April 2008 |
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The Omagh families are to meet with the Police Ombudsman El Hutchinson tomorrow Thursday 3rd April at 2.00pm. The meeting will take place in Omagh Support and Self Help Group Office.
Omagh families arranged to meet with the Police Ombudsman after the acquittal of Sean Hoey, and are hoping that Mr Hutchinson will take into consideration their concerns and their views on a way forward.
The Victims families plan to continue their quest for a full Cross Border Public Enquiry.
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| Omagh Families Take Campaign to Stormont |
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| Tue 01 April 2008 |
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The Chairman of Omagh Support and Self Help Group, Michael Gallagher will give a presentation to invited guests in Stormont on Tuesday 1st April 2008, at 6.30 pm, including 108 MLA’s and MEP’s, along with a wider variety of other people from the community. The presentation will highlight the campaign for a full Cross Border Public Enquiry.
It is hoped that policy makers will come and be informed on the up-to-date position of Omagh both in the North and South of Ireland.
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| OMAGH INDEPENDENT FACILITATION TEAM REPORT |
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| Thu 06 March 2008 |
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In October 2007 Omagh District Council appointed a three strong Independent Facilitation Team (IFT) to facilitate a process to consider narrative for the new Omagh Bomb Memorial. The IFT was chaired by the Rev Dr John Dunlop, former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland.
Their report was finalised and presented on Thursday 6th March 2008. Omagh Support and Self Help Group welcome the recommendations included in the Report that their suggested wording is included on the wall within the Memorial Garden.
The full report can be viewed on the link below.
http://www.omagh.gov.uk/download_files/FinalReport.pdf
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| Omagh families to meet Secretary of State |
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| Thu 21 February 2008 |
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The Omagh families are to travel to Hillsborough Castle on Thursday 21st February 2008 to meet with the Secretary of State Mr Shaun Woodard MP.
This is the first meeting the Omagh families have arranged with the Secretary of State since the acquittal of Sean Hoey. The families plan to discuss their quest for a full Cross Border Public Enquiry.
The families of the Omagh Bomb victims are hoping that Mr Woodard will take into consideration their concerns and their views on a way forward
For further information contact:
Michael Gallagher on 07759360603
Donna McCauley on (028) 8225 9877
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| Omagh Families meet Policing Board |
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| Wed 30 January 2008 |
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The Policing Board are to meet, today, Wednesday 30th January 2008, at 10.00 at the South West College in Omagh with the families of those affected by the Omagh bomb.
This is the first meeting that the families have had with any government body since the acquittal of Sean Hoey. The object of today’s meeting is to allow the families to voice their concerns about the trial which lasted 56 days and ended with a damning indictment of police and forensic science standards used in the trail.
The families are hoping that all members of the Policing Board will attend to hear their concerns and their views on a way forward.
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| CHAIRMAN TO SPEAK AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN MADRID THIS WEEK |
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| Mon 21 January 2008 |
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Michael Gallagher, Chairman of Omagh Bomb victims group is a guest speaker at the 4th International Conference on Victims of Terrorism taking place in Madrid this week.
He is one of five guest speakers to share his terrorist related experiences.
The Omagh Support Group is a non political support group who represents all those who lives have been affected by terrorism.
Mr Gallagher is a regular speaker at international conferences; he spoke recently in Washington DC and Bogota, Columbia and also addressed the first international conference in 2004 in Madrid.
His 21 year old son is one of 31 victims who lost their lives in the Omagh Bomb.
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For further information contact:
Michael Gallagher: 07759360603
Omagh Support and Self Help Group: (028) 8225 9877
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| SEAN HOEY FOUND NOT GUILTY |
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| Thu 20 December 2007 |
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Sean Hoey was found not guilty of murdering 29 people killed in the Omagh bombing.He was also cleared of all other charges linked to a series of bombs and murder attacks in Northern Ireland in the run-up to 15th August 1998.
The victims families feel that the only way forward now is a full cross border public enquiry to reveal the truth of what happened in Omagh.
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| OMAGH BOMB TRIAL VERDICT |
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| Tue 18 December 2007 |
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The judge in the Omagh bomb trial is due to deliver his verdict on Thursday 20th December 2007. The victims families will travel to Belfast Crown Court to hear the verdict.
Sean Hoey, 38, from Jonesborough, County Armagh, has denied a total of 56 charges, including the murders of 29 people killed in the August 1998 Omagh bomb atrocity.
His trial at Belfast Crown Court before Mr Justice Weir lasted for 56 days and ended in January 2007.
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| Chairman of Omagh Support and Self Help Group attended an International Conference on Overcoming Extremism in Washington DC |
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| Wed 14 November 2007 |
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Michael Gallagher the Chairman of Omagh Support and Self Help Group (Omagh Bomb Victims Group) travelled to Washington DC to talk at a major international Conference on Overcoming Extremism: Protecting Civilians from Terrorist Violence. This two day conference took place on the 22nd and 23rd of October and is part of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction (PCR) project at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
The Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) was launched at the height of the Cold War, dedicated to finding ways for America to survive as a nation and prosper as a people. CSIS has grown to become one of the nation’s and the world’s pre-eminent public policy institutions on U.S. and international security. CSIS seeks to advance global security and prosperity and serves as a strategic planning partner for the American government by conducting research and analysis and developing policy initiatives that look into the future and anticipate change.
The Conference featured panels of world-renowned scholars, civil society leaders, journalists, government and military officials and legal experts. The Conference aimed to develop a shared international agenda for protecting civilians, who are increasingly the targets of terrorist violence.
Mr Gallagher was delighted to be asked to attend the conference to share his experiences of terrorism in the UK and Ireland and learned from many of the eminent experts attending the conference from around the world. Mr Gallagher spoke on the second day of the conference on his experiences.
To watch Mr Gallaghers talk on his experiences, click on the following link: http://www.overcomingextremism.org/video12.htm
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| Consul General of United States sends message of support |
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| Sun 12 August 2007 |
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Many Americans reflect with profound sadness on the unspeakable tragedy that took place in Omagh town centre on a busy Saturday in 1998. The Omagh bombing represented the sheer futility of violence in Northern Ireland while reinforcing the sense of urgency for a political settlement.
Over the coming days, people across the United States will be remembering the victims of the Omagh bombing and the hardships faced by their families over the last nine years. Amid the sorrow, they will be heartened that many in Northern Ireland have responded with a desire to build a shared future free from violence, sectarianism, and division.
We pay tribute to the Omagh Support and Self Help Group for their organization of this interdenominational service and also for their wider support toward those who have been deeply affected by the atrocity.
Dean Pittman, Consul General
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| SUPPORT GROUP HOST ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE |
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| Tue 07 August 2007 |
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The families of the Omagh Bomb Victims will host this year’s annual service of remembrance in the Memorial Garden on Sunday the 12th August, at 3.00pm.
The ninth annual service organised by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group for the fourth year will be an inter-denominational service of music, verse and prayer.
Following the success of last year’s personal service this year’s is designed to provide comfort to the bereaved, injured and traumatized families while being uplifting in nature.
We are delighted to have representatives from the British, Irish and Spanish Governments attending the service this year. Consul General of Spain, Dr Valdes, Senior Official Political Director Chris Maccabe from the Northern Ireland Office and Minister of State Mr Sean Power T.D. from the Irish Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
As always we will be expressing our sympathies with the many victims of terrorist related atrocities throughout the world.
We invite and welcome everyone to come along and join us on the 12th August to remember and honour all those who died and those who are still suffering.
For any further information please contact:
Donna McCauley 8225 9877 or
Michael Gallagher 8224 4920 / 07759360603
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| OMAGH FAMILY WITHDRAW FROM CIVIL ACTION |
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| Fri 29 June 2007 |
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Half of the families involved in a multi-million pound civil action against alleged Real IRA leaders accused of involvement in the Omagh bombing have withdrawn from the case.
The set back comes as legal sources say that it is unlikely that a verdict will be delivered this week in the criminal trial of Sean Hoey, the only man charged with the Omagh bombing until September 2007.
Relatives of Esther Gibson (36) who was among those killed joined the civil action suing real IRA leaders Michael McKevitt, Seamus Daly, Liam Campbell, Colm Murphy and Seamus McKenna in 2001. However proceedings did not open until January 2005 and since then have been dogged by delay. The trial is not expected to begin properly until January 2008 at its earliest.
In the High court in Belfast the Gibson family announced that they were withdrawing from the action as it was causing unnecessary stress and are concerned that all relevant have conspired to prevent this matter ever getting to trial.
Michael Gallagher Chairman of OSSHG stated that families are becoming increasingly frustrated at legal delays and it is very hard for the families to cope.
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| Omagh families meet the First Minister of Northern Ireland, Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley MP MLA. |
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| Mon 11 June 2007 |
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Members of Omagh Support and Self Help Group will travel to Stormont today, Monday 11th June 2007 to meet with the First Minister Rt Hon Dr Ian Paisley. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the families’ quest for a Public Enquiry and also the Omagh Memorial.
The DUP has already given their support for full cross border public enquiry and last month the Deputy First Minister Martin Mc Guinness supported the families who were speaking out and rallying for a full, independent international investigation of the actual bombing and the police investigation of it.
It is important that Omagh Support and Self Help Group talk to as many influential people as possible to ensure that everyone is aware of the situation and to prevent any misunderstanding.
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| SINN FEIN BACKS A FULL INDEPENDENT INQUIRY INTO OMAGH ATTACK |
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| Thu 17 May 2007 |
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The controversial Omagh bomb investigation may be brought to the forefront of the new Policing Boards attention by Sinn Feins incoming members.
Martin Mc Guinness said he supported the Omagh bomb victim families who were speaking out and rallying for a full, independent international investigation of the actual bombing and the police investigation of it.
Martin Mc Guinness stated that, in his view, there are serious questions to be asked about the Omagh bomb investigation. Nobody knows more about what happened than (the PSNI), and there is a very strong argument for an international, independent investigation into the Omagh bomb investigation and the actual bomb explosion itself. Republicans would be only too glad to co-operate because we think the PSNI have questions to answer. There is a very strong belief within Irish Republicanism that the PSNI not alone failed to investigate the Omagh bomb properly, but the RUC actually knew about the bomb before it took place. |
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| MEMBERS OF OSSHG TO MEET SPANISH AMBASSADOR |
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| Mon 23 April 2007 |
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Omagh Support and Self Help Group will meet with the Spanish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, his Excellency Carlos Miranda y Elio on Tuesday 24 April 2007. The meeting will take place during the Ambassadors visit to Omagh District Council offices.
Members of OSSHG hope to discuss the unnecessary delay in erecting a memorial and also the wording to be placed on the memorial. The inscription proposed by the families was submitted at the beginning of last year. It was to read:
'To honour and remember 31 people murdered and hundreds injured, from three nations, by a dissident republican terrorist car bomb.'
Members of the group also hope to discuss existing memorial garden and the proposals for its expansion and also their plans for a cross border public enquiry which is supported by the Irish Human Rights Commission and Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission.
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| OMAGH SUPPORT AND SELF HELP GROUP LAUNCH THEIR DIGITAL ARCHIVE |
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| Fri 06 April 2007 |
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Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG) launched their Digital Archive on Wednesday 4th April 2007 at Omagh College. The site was unveiled by Deric Henderson from the Press Association of Ireland and Paul Clark from UTV Live at 6 programme.
Over 70 guests attended the launch, among them were families of victims of the Omagh Bomb, representatives from victims groups, RTE, the Department of Foreign Affairs, statutory organisations and historian and prize-winning biographer Ruth Dudley Edwards.
Members of Parliment sent personal messages congratulating OSSHG on their achievement. David Lidington, Opposition Secretary of State, spoke of the groups efforts to secure justice.
I want to express my support for this initiative by the Omagh families he said. They have suffered so much, yet are determined to seek not only justice but also reconciliation between the divided communities of Northern Ireland.
Their courage, steadfastness and generosity of spirit is an example to us all he continued.
County Down-born Lembit Opik, the prominent member of the Liberal Democrats' said, this online archive will no doubt prove to be a valuable resource to all those who wish to learn about the tragedy of the Omagh bombing and I hope that it can be used to promote further reconciliation in Northern Ireland and further afield.
However, the most passionate message of support came from the Conservatives' Shadow NI Laurence Robertson, who interrupted a California trip to voice his admiration and empathy for the families.
I was in the Republic of Ireland the day the bomb went off at Omagh and I was in Dundalk the day after he revealed. There was widespread horror in the areas I visited during that week and I have since visited Omagh and stood on the spot the bomb went off.
I have looked into the period running up to the day the bomb went off in terms of security, policing and intelligence and can understand the deep sense of hurt and confusion felt by those who lost loved ones at Omagh on that terrible day
He continued, The Omagh families deserve justice. And they deserve clarifications. And the people who were murdered deserve remembering.
The greatest possible tribute to them would be the securing of a permanent peace. Even if that is achieved, however, the victims must never be forgotten, and I hope that this project will ensure that they will be remembered forever.
The aim of the launch was to not only to raise public awareness of the Archive but to recognise the achievement of victim’s families, volunteers and members of OSSHG. The archive is based on the collection newspaper article, video and audio recordings relating to not only the Omagh Bombing but other global terrorist atrocities housed in Omagh Support and Self Help Group offices. Material is being researched and added to the Archive on a daily basis, at present online visitors can access over 5000 articles.
It is the hope of OSSHG that the archive will be utilised as an educational tool which will support understanding and learning in order to support continued Peace and Reconciliation. Michael Gallagher Chairman of OSSHG stated that:
The media has an important role to play in raising public awareness of important issues, our archive of media material will provide information about the Omagh Bomb and other global atrocities to victims and families, researchers and academics, the local community and world wide.
Money received from the Awards for All Lottery Fund has enabled OSSHG to officially launch the Digital Archive. Many of the guests had the opportunity to browse through the site and offer their views after the launch. The evening was a great success and enjoyed by all.
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| OMAGH SUPPORT AND SELF HELP GROUP WILL LAUNCH THE DIGITAL ARCHIVE |
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| Mon 02 April 2007 |
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Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG) will unveil their Digital Archive on Wednesday 4th April 2007. Paul Clarke from UTV and Deric Henderson from the Press Association will be among many of the guests attending the launch.
The site is based on the archive collection housed in Omagh Support and Self Help Group offices. In November 2004 members of OSSHG with the help of Volunteers, students and financial support from Omagh Local Strategy Partnership embarked upon the task of creating an accessible on-line archive.
Online visitors can access over 5000 newspaper articles, video and audio recordings relating to information on the events leading up to and following the Omagh bombing and other global terrorist atrocities.
It is the hope of OSSHG that the archive will be utilised as an educational tool which will support understanding and learning in order to support continued Peace and Reconciliation. Information about the Omagh Bomb and other global atrocities will be accessible to victims and families, researchers and academics, the local community and world wide.
Money received from the Awards for All Lottery Fund has enabled OSSHG to officially launch the Digital Archive in Omagh College Lecture Theatre, this project has involved the wide community and anyone interested is more than welcome to attend.
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| OMAGH BOMB VICTIMS GROUP WELCOME THE LATEST MEDIA APPEALS FOR INFORMATION BY THE P.S.N.I. |
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| Mon 12 March 2007 |
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Omagh Bomb victims group welcome the latest media appeals for information by the P.S.N.I.
We call on all right thinking people to come forward and share any knowledge they may have about events before or after the Omagh bomb with the P.S.N.I./Garda or any responsible person in the community.
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| OMAGH BOMB VICTIMS GROUP CHAIRMAN TRAVELS TO SPAIN FOR 3RD ANNIVERSARY |
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| Fri 09 March 2007 |
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Michael Gallagher Omagh bomb victims group Chairman will travel to Madrid this weekend to speak at a number of events on Saturday and Sunday the 10th & 11th of March to remember the 198 people who died and hundreds injured in the train bombs three years ago. The European Parliament has designated the 11th of March as a day of remembrance for all victims of terrorism in Europe.
Mr. Gallagher said it is a privilege to stand with the Spanish victims this weekend in Madrid and said he is looking forward to the time when we can acknowledge this day in our own Country, especially as we have suffered more from terrorism than any other European Country.
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| HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION MEET OSSHG |
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| Fri 19 January 2007 |
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The President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, Dr. Maurice Manning, and the Chief Commissioner of the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Monica McWilliams, met with representatives of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group in connection with the bombing in August 1988 of Omagh town centre and related matters on 18th January 2007.
The two commissions are jointly requesting the British and Irish Governments to establish a Cory style review into the Omagh bombing and surrounding events. Specifically the two commissions propose that a serving or retired judge of international standing should examine all available material. They further recommend that the purpose of such a review will be to determine whether it is appropriate to institute a North South inquiry into the atrocity.
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| TWO CHARGES DROPPED BUT OMAGH BOMBING CHARGES STILL REMAIN |
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| Fri 22 December 2006 |
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On Tuesday 19th December two charges against the man accused of the Omagh bombing were effectively dropped after prosecution lawyers accepted there was no case to answer. Sean Hoey had been charged with causing an explosion in the middle of Banbridge on 1 August 1998.
The prosecution had been expected to present voice analysis evidence to try to link the south Armagh electrician to the Banbridge attack. But none has been introduced and Crown lawyers invited the court to find there was no case to answer as relates to that specific charge. They also accepted that there was no evidence to support a separate charge of conspiracy to murder. That was connected to an explosives find at Blackwatertown Road outside Armagh a month earlier. While officially these are decisions for Mr Justice Weir, it effectively means two charges have been withdrawn.
Although on Thursday 21st December Mr Justice Weir rejected a defence application calling for the Omagh bombing case to be thrown out. The judge said the test to decide if the trial should continue was whether the evidence was "so discredited or so intrinsically weak" that it could not support a conviction. He ruled that the case did not fail that test.
The prosecution accepted there was no case to answer in the two charges that were dropped. The remaining charges against Mr Hoey include 29 counts of murder as a result of the Omagh bombing, which happened in August 1998.
There have now been more than 50 days of evidence at the trial.
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| RELEASE OF NALLY REPORT |
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| Wed 29 November 2006 |
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The families are deeply concerned by the timing of the censored report into Garda intelligence and John White’s allegations, in the light of court proceedings involving John White.
We also note that the report did not interview Paddy Dixon, who was the key, or should have been the key witness at the inquiry, and the senior investigator into the Omagh Bombing inquiry. The Omagh families directly affected, were never given an opportunity to have an input into the inquiry.
We believe this report is of limited value and now call on the government to hold a Full Cross Border Public Inquiry into the full circumstances of the 1998 Omagh Bombing.
You can download a copy of Nally Report at www.justice.ie
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| TERRY WAITE LAUNCHES OMAGH BOMB DIGITAL ARCHIVE |
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| Fri 17 November 2006 |
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The Omagh Bomb Digital Archive was unveiled by former Beirut hostage Terry Waite at Omagh library on Thursday 16th November.
The site is based on the archive collection housed in Omagh Library and includes media coverage, cards, books of condolence and other material relating to the events of 15 August, 1998.
Online visitors can access more than 10,500 newspaper articles, 15,000 emails, 818 books of condolence, 52 videos, nearly 3,000 floral tribute cards, 1,000 sympathy cards and look at the 20 patchwork quilts and cushions presented by the NI Patchwork Guild.
It has been developed by the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) Library Service in partnership with Omagh Support and Self Help Group (OSSHG) with funding from the Victims Strategy Implementation Fund.
The site is aimed at making information about the Omagh Bomb accessible to victims and families, researchers and academics, the local community and across the world.
The site can be accessed at www.omagharchive.co.uk
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| MEMORIAL COMMITTEE |
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| Mon 13 November 2006 |
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The Victims Group are committed to achieve a Memorial Garden and marking of the street which will be a filling tribute to those who were affected by the 1998 Omagh Bombing.
It is a matter of serious regret that this ended up in a unnecessary Public Debate. We hope that common sense will prevail and thank all political parties for their support. We call for the street marker to be put in place as soon as possible.
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| OSSHG MEET VICTIMS MINISTER |
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| Fri 10 November 2006 |
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Yesterday families of the Omagh bomb victims met with the Victims Minister David Hanson. The meeting was held to discuss the unnecessary delay in erecting a memorial to mark the bomb site. Mr Hanson was told of the victim’s anger at being told a document of words they had submitted for the memorial chould go out to wider consultation.
The inscription proposed by the families was submitted earlier this year. It was to read: 'To honour and remember 31 people murdered and hundreds injured, from three nations, by a dissident republican terrorist car bomb'
After the meeting Michael Gallagher stated that 'We left the minister in no doubt about the depth of feeling at the failure to have the memorial erected.'
Mr Hanson expressed his regret that the row had flared. He stated that he hoped the Victims group and the Council could work together to put a memorial in place as soon as possible.
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| OMAGH FAMILIES MEET WITH THE CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICING BOARD |
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| Tue 17 October 2006 |
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Today Tuesday 17th October 2006, the families of the Omagh bomb victims met with the Chairman of the Policing Board Sir Desmond Rea along with the Vice Chairman Barry Gilligan.
The meeting took place in the Omagh Support and Self Help Group Office and a range of issues were discussed. The Omagh families asked for a formal observer from the Policing Board to monitor the on going Hoey trial as the organisation admitted that they rely on media reports alone for updates.
The Omagh families also asked the Policing Board to help support a Public enquiry and also to facilitate a meeting with the security service MI5. The Chairman Sir Desmond Rea stated that he will consider all issues discussed within the meeting which lasted for an hour and a half.
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| SEAN HOEY TRIAL RESUMES |
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| Mon 25 September 2006 |
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The case against Sean Gerard Hoey, 37, of Molly Road, Jonesborough, Armagh, will resume today Monday 25th September after being adjourned earlier this month. Relatives were disappointed when the trial was adjourned minutes after opening on 6 September 2006. The case was stopped as the defence lawyer was unwell.
A video link has been set up between Belfast Crown Court and Omagh College, at the request of Omagh Support and Self Help Group to enable the families of Omagh bomb victims to follow the trial. It will be available for the duration of the trial.
Sean Hoey denies involvement in the bombing in August 1998 in which 29 people died, including a woman pregnant with twins. Mr Hoey faces 58 charges including five other bombings, four bomb conspiracies, and six murder conspiracies. Hoey is only person to be charged with murder in connection with the bombing, the accused has been in custody for about three years.
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| OMAGH FAMILIES TRAVEL TO THE TRIAL OF SEAN HOEY. |
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| Wed 06 September 2006 |
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Today Wednesday 6th September 2006 Omagh families travel to the High Court in Belfast to witness the first day of the trial of Sean Hoey.
Sean Gerard Hoey (36) an electrician from Jonesborough, Co Armagh is accused with 29 accounts of murder by the Omagh car bombing, among these a woman pregnant with twins. He faces 58 charges in total, including five other bombings, four bomb conspiracies, and six murder conspiracies.
The trial before Mr Justice Weir in Belfast is expected to be one of the last major non-jury trials in Northern Ireland and is expected to last for about 14 weeks.
Omagh families have requested a video link to be set up between the High Court in Belfast and Omagh to enable them to watch proceedings of the trial. This will be put in place after the first day of the trial.
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| SUPPORT GROUP HOST ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE |
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| Mon 31 July 2006 |
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The families of the Omagh Bomb Victims will host this year’s annual service of remembrance in the Memorial Garden on Sunday the 13th August, at 3.00pm.
The eighth annual service organised by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group for the third year will be an inter-dominational service of music, verse and prayer.
Following the success of last year’s personal service this year’s is designed to provide comfort to the bereaved, injured and traumatized families while being uplifting in nature.
We are delighted to have representatives from both the British and Irish Governments attending the service. We will also be expressing our sympathies with the many victims of other recent terrorist atrocities throughout the world.
We invite and welcome everyone to come along and join us on the 13th August to remember and honour all those who died and those who are still suffering.
For any further information please contact:
Sharon Watters 8225 9877 or
Michael Gallagher 8224 4920 / 07759360603
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| HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BENEFIT AND SCREENING |
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| Tue 30 May 2006 |
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The Omagh Film has been successfully chosen as the lead benefit film at the Second Annual Human Rights Watch International Film Festival. The benefit will be held on Thursday 1st June 2006 at the Museum of contemporary art, Chicago.
Attending as a special guest will be Mr Michael Gallagher, chairman of Omagh Victims Group whose personal story inspired the film. Speaking about the screening Mr Gallagher stated this is the third Human Rights Film Festival that Omagh has been chosen as the flagship film and it is a tremendous honour.
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| OMAGH FAMILIES TO MEET U.S CONSULATE GENERAL |
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| Wed 10 May 2006 |
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Representatives from the Omagh Bomb Families (Omagh Support and Self Help Group) are meeting with U.S. Consulate General Howard Dean Pittman tomorrow (Thursday 11th May), at 11.00am, at the Consulate Office, Belfast.
The families will be requesting the Consulates assistance in their campaign to have the 32 County Sovereignty Movement website removed.
They also will be taking the opportunity to thank the Consulate for the U.S Governments support in relation to the Omagh Atrocity and to bring the Consulate up to date with the activities of the Support and Self Help Group.
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| OMAGH REPRESENTATIVES MEET WITH IRISH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION |
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| Wed 26 April 2006 |
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A delegation from Omagh Support and Self Help Group will meet with Irish Human Rights Chief Commissioner Mr Maurice Manning and his Commissioners on Thursday 27th April 2006, at 10.30am, at the Commissions Office, Jervis St, Dublin 1.
The families will be making a presentation to the Commissioners in order to gain their support in backing a full Cross Border Public Inquiry into the 15th August 1998 atrocity.
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| OMAGH BOMB FAMILIES TO MEET CHIEF CONSTABLE |
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| Fri 31 March 2006 |
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The Omagh Bomb Victim Group is to meet with the Chief Constable Hugh Orde today Monday the 3rd April at 3.00p.m.at Police Headquarters Knock Rd, Belfast.
This is the first formal meeting the families have had with Hugh Orde.
The Chief Constable will be questioned about the recent report that M.I.5 was aware of an attempt to bomb Omagh four months before the devastating attack on the town in August 1998.
The families are calling for a full Cross Border Public Inquiry.
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| BEREAVED FATHER BEGS CANADIAN FIRM TO BAN MURDERERS |
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| Fri 03 March 2006 |
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In August 1998, a bomb planted by the Real IRA devastated the country town of Omagh in Northern Ireland, killed 31 people (including unborn twins) and injured hundreds. The murderers have not yet been brought to justice and several of the families have been driven to take a civil case against some of the chief suspects.
This week, Michael Gallagher, Chairman of the Omagh Support and Self Help Group and father of murdered 21-year-old Aiden, will go to the office of webhosts Netfirms INC (5160 Yonge Street, Suite 1800, Toronto) on friday at 12.00 noon to beg the bosses to shut down a Real IRA hate-site.
He will be asking why Netfirms failed to reply to a letter sent on 29 November last year by Victor Barker, father of murdered 12-year-old James, begging them to act.
Among those to whom Omagh victims have appealed in their campaign to have this site axed have been the British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, at a meeting in November and the Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, Sir Ian Blair. Although the site shows armed men training and encourages young people to espouse terrorist, no action has been taken.
In desperation, Michael Gallagher will be asking Netfirm bosses to show their opposition to terrorism and their solidarity with the bereaved by closing down this hate-site immediately.
"Our lives were ruined by these people, he said, but we work ceaselessly to prevent such tragedies happening to others. I hope we can rely on the decency for which Canadians are renowned".
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| OMAGH FILM OPENS TORONTO HUMAN RIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL |
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| Thu 02 March 2006 |
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The Chairman of Omagh Support and Self Help Group, Mr Michael Gallagher is travelling to Toronto, Canada today (2nd March 2006) as a special guest at the Toronto Human Rights Film Festival.
The Omagh Film has been granted the prestigious accolade of opening the Film Festival, and Mr Gallagher will be interviewed by Eleanor Wachtel, the host of CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Commission) Radio’s the Arts Tonight programme.
The Omagh Film and the story of Omagh has generated a lot of media interest in Toronto, evidenced in its choice as the opening Film. In addition the astonishing revelations announced last week that MI5 had prior knowledge of an attack on Omagh has also heightened interest. |
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| OMAGH FAMILIES MEET WITH HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER |
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| Mon 23 January 2006 |
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Omagh Families meet with Monica Mc Williams the Human Rights Commissioner. Representatives from Omagh families are to meet, today 20th January at 11.00am. The families will meet with the Human Rights Commissioner and other Commissioners at the HRC Headquarters Belfast.
Families will be asking the Commissioner to back their call for a full Cross Border Public Inquiry into the 1998 Omagh atrocity.
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| UUP LEADER TO MEET WITH OMAGH BOMB FAMILIES |
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| Tue 17 January 2006 |
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The UUP Leader Sir Reg Empey is to meet with the Omagh Bomb Families Support Group on Tuesday 17th January, at 2.30pm, in the Group's Office.
The UUP has supported the families call for a full Cross Border Public Inquiry into the 1998 atrocity. Group Chairman Mr Michael Gallagher has said that he welcomes the visit stating "we are happy that Politicians are now listening and taking Victims issues more seriously. This can only be good for all Victims".
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| NEW VICTIMS COMMISSIONER TO MEET WITH OMAGH FAMILIES |
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| Mon 12 December 2005 |
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| The newly appointed Victims Commissioner Mrs Bertha Mc Dougel will visit the Omagh Support and Self Help Group Office on Tuesday 13th December at 10.30am. The group welcome this visit and look forward to meeting the Commissioner and discussing what she can do to move forward the many issues which the Omagh Victims have be pro-actively campaigning for over the past seven years. |
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| OMAGH BOMB FAMILIES TO MEET PRIME MINISTER |
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| Fri 25 November 2005 |
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A delegation from the Omagh Victims group will meet the Prime Minster, Tony Blair on Tuesday 29th November 2005 at 3pm in 10 Downing Street. The delegation will be seeking to raise their concerns regarding the Omagh bomb and will be calling for the government to hold a Cross Border Public Inquiry into the 15th of August 1998 bombing.
No one has ever been convicted of murder at Omagh; one man is to face trial next year on 61 charges, including 29 counts of murder at Omagh. This is the first formal meeting that the Omagh families have had with the Prime Minister. |
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| OMAGH BOMB VICTIMS FATHER TO TAKE PART IN THE BASQUE PEACE DEBATE IN SPAIN |
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| Tue 15 November 2005 |
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Michael Gallagher has been invited to take part in a two day round table conference on the 17th and 18th of November in San Sebastian which will focus especially on victims of terrorism and their points of view. The conference will seek to analyse the important role that victims should play in the education for peace.
At the conference there will be some of the most important experts in peace education and conflict resolution coming from Spain, Europe, South and Central America.
These Organisations are working with terrorist victims such as Gesto por la paz Elkarri, Covite, Amnesty International and the March 11th Madrid Bombing Victims Association. Elkarri is an organisation trying to achieve agreement in a peaceful way in the Basque political problem.
Mr Gallagher will talk about the experience of Victims of Terrorism in Northern Ireland and what they achieved from the Good Friday Agreement. This is an important conference for Spanish peace and the role that victims can play in helping to normalise society. |
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| OMAGH FAMILIES MEET MINISTER DERMOT AHERN |
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| Tue 18 October 2005 |
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| Representatives from the Omagh Bomb Victims Group are meeting with the Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern on Monday 24th October 2005 at 11.30am, in the Ballymascanlon Hotel, Dundalk. This is part of the family's ongoing campaign for a full Cross Border Public Inquiry into the circumstances around the 15th August 1998 bombing when 31 people died and hundreds were injured from three Nations. |
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| LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE ULSTER HERALD AND TYRONE CONSTITUTION |
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| Thu 18 August 2005 |
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To the Editor
Omagh Support and Self Help Group would like to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for the large turnout we received at the seventh annual remembrance service of the 1998 Omagh Bomb which was held in Omagh Memorial Garden on Sunday 14th August.
We were delighted to witness such a large, diverse and inter-dominational gathering of support. In a world so troubled by prejudice and intolerance it was a joy to host a service which incorporated three languages, 3 differing traditions, and was attended by many different cultures and religions.
We would like to extend particular gratitude to those who made the day possible, Marion Radford,
Leslie Matthews, Rev R Hall (Padre at Lisanelly Army Camp), Rev I Mairs, Rev W Seale, Fr T Canning, Nicolas Cassidy (Omagh Ethnic Support Group), Pax Christi Ireland, Ms Clare Radford, Godfrey and Ann Wilson, St Eugene's Brass Band Omagh, Noel Donald, Don McGurgan, Miss Sharon Watters, PSNI and Omagh Library for donating room hire for refreshments.
We hope to continue with public support to host successful remembrance services in future years.
If anyone would like a copy of the order of service please contact Sharon at Omagh Support and Self Help Group 5 Holmview Terrace, Omagh, 028 8225 9877/ osshg@hotmail.com
Kind Regards,
Omagh Support and Self Help Group |
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| SUPPORT GROUP HOST ANNUAL SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE |
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| Thu 04 August 2005 |
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The families of the Omagh Bomb Victims will host this year's annual service of remembrance in the Memorial Garden on Sunday the 14th August, at 3.00pm.
The seventh annual service organised by the Omagh Support and Self Help Group for the second year will be an inter-dominational service of music, verse and prayer.
Following the success of last year's personal service this year's is designed to provide comfort to the bereaved, injured and traumatized families while being uplifting in nature.
We are delighted to have representatives from both the British and Irish Governments attending the service, Lord Rooker from the British Government and Minister for Education and Science, Ms Mary Hanafin from the Irish Government.
We will also be expressing our sympathies with the many victims of the London Bombings and other recent terrorist atrocities throughout the world.
We invite and welcome everyone to come along and join us on the 14th August to remember and honour all those who died and those who are still suffering. |
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| OMAGH SUPPORT AND SELF HELP GROUP LAUNCHES GUIDE BOOK FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS |
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| Mon 14 March 2005 |
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Omagh Support and Self Help Group (Omagh Bomb Victims Group) launched their practical guide book for Victims/Survivors of the Conflict on Tuesday 26th April, in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh.
The Group were delighted to welcome their special guest for the launch Mr John Clarke, Head of the Victims Unit.
The Guide Book which has been written and published by victims from the Support Group will assist victims/survivors of terrorism with a resource they can access to ensure they are fully conversant with their rights, entitlements and sources of support available.
It gives an account of victims' experiences, what worked well, and what did not. What worked well for one person may not have worked for another; it is for this reason that the guide is as inclusive as possible. It also includes advice and guidance on areas such as Public Inquiries, dealing with the Media, and Evacuation and Emergency procedures.
The Group anticipates that this book will be actively used by other victims, professionals, and those with an interest in/remit for victims' needs,
The book will also be distributed to the wider public as a process of promoting wider understanding of the effects of terrorism on victims. |
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| FIRST EUROPEAN DAY IN COMMEMORATION OF VICTIMS OF TERRORISM |
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| Thu 24 February 2005 |
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The 11th March 2005 has been designated by the European Commission as the First European Day in commemoration of the victims of terrorism.
In light of this Special Day the Omagh Support and Self Help Group are hosting a short interdenominational service of music, verse and prayer.
The service will be held at 2.00pm on Friday 11th March in the Omagh Memorial Garden. Everyone is welcome to come along and show their support.
A plaque marking the occasion will be unveiled and refreshments will be served in Omagh Library after the service. |
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